DIVERSITY AND STATUS OF BUTTERFLIES IN DINAGAT ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

This study aimed to provide information on the diversity and status of butterflies in the three habitat types of Dinagat islands, Mindanao. Belt transect, light, malaise traps and time constraint samplings were employed in the study on three Mountains namely: Mt. Paragua, Mt. Redondo and Mt. Kambinliw. Data revealed 108 species of butterflies documented. Of these, 27 or 26% were
endemic. Four were rare Philippine endemic, 12 common Philippine endemic, 2 very rare Philippine endemic, 1 rare Mindanao endemic, 1 common endemic and 3 Site or Dinagat Island endemic. Three of the species are new record to the Philippines, 5 new record to Mindanao, 58 new record to Dinagat Island and 28 previously recorded species in Dinagat islands. The 101 species with 25% endemism and the presence of newly recorded species are noteworthy for conservation. More than 50% of the species found in each habitat types are disconcordant, most of the endemic species listed were found in the forests habitats. This simply suggests that forests are important in sustaining the lives of the endemic butterflies in the area.