A comparative analysis of the vertical distribution of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea, Papilionoidea) within the mountain ridges of the South-West Pamir (Tajikistan)

Abstract

The comparative analysis of butterfly faunas of the mountain ridges of South-West Pamir (Tajikistan) (Rushan, Shugnan, Shakhdara ridges) is presented. The butterfly fauna of this region contains 126 species: 107 species in Rushan ridge, 116 species in Shugnan ridge, 81 species in Shakhdara ridge. The faunas similarity within these mountain ridges increased in direction from south to north (from Shakhdara to Rushan). The vertical zones faunas similarity decreased from zone to zone when altitude is increased. Species with Central-Asian and Pamir-Badakhshan ranges comprise the vast majority of the butterfly fauna of the South-West Pamir (89 species or 70.6% of the fauna); less than 30% of the fauna are species with wide ranges. It is shown that the fauna of butterflies of South-West Pamir is divided into two faunistic complexes (based on two vertical zones): highland and super-highland.

Keywords

• Lepidoptera
• South-West Pamir
• Tajikistan
• fauna
• butterflies
• analysis
• vertical distribution