Monitoring Stresses Caused by Gaseous Pollutants: How Can They Affect a Fruit-Feeding Butterfly Community (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in the Caatinga?

Bibliographic Details
Title: Monitoring Stresses Caused by Gaseous Pollutants: How Can They Affect a Fruit-Feeding Butterfly Community (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in the Caatinga?
Authors: Gustavo dos Santos Silva, Maicon dos Santos da Silva, Eloito Caires de Mates, Wesley Gil Oliveira Silva, Daniela Ribeiro da Costa, Laura Braga, Raymundo José de Sá Neto, Avaldo de Oliveira Soares Filho, Mateus Pereira dos Santos, Suzany Aguiar Leite, Maria Aparecida Castellani
Source: Stresses, Vol 5, Iss 1, p 3 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Biology (General)
Subject Terms: faunistic analysis, biomonitoring, air pollution stresses, Biology (General), QH301-705.5
More Details: This study evaluated the effects of gaseous pollutants and vegetation on the structure of fruit-feeding butterfly communities (some subfamilies of Nymphalidae) in a Caatinga area in Brumado, BA, between 2016 and 2018. Two transects were established: Transect “I” (presence of pollutant plumes) and Transect “II” (absence), encompassing a forest fragment and pasture. Bait traps were installed in each transect, and the butterfly communities were analyzed using faunistic indices, including species richness, Shannon diversity index, abundance, and dominance. The canopy opening was also assessed. The composition of fruit-feeding butterfly communities was influenced by both pollutants and vegetation. Gaseous pollutants increased butterfly abundance, diversity, and species richness, though species dominance remained unaffected. Notably, the abundance of Hamadryas februa was particularly sensitive to pollutant exposure. Conversely, increased canopy opening was negatively associated with butterfly abundance and diversity. A relationship between canopy opening and the presence of gaseous pollutants may reflect changes in the abundance and diversity of fruit-feeding butterfly species in the study region. Long-term community monitoring is important, as interannual differences in population fluctuations are common. A better understanding of the patterns found is essential to for devise devising conservation strategies for frugivorous butterfly communities in mining ventures.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2673-7140
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7140/5/1/3; https://doaj.org/toc/2673-7140
DOI: 10.3390/stresses5010003
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/4a6ec3e37e8d45eb82866889c71627ed
Accession Number: edsdoj.4a6ec3e37e8d45eb82866889c71627ed
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:26737140
DOI:10.3390/stresses5010003
Published in:Stresses
Language:English