Effects of habitat fragmentation on fruit-feeding butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Atlantic Forest remnants in Rio Grande do Norte
Fragmentation, habitat loss, fruit-feeding butterflies, Nymphalidae, Atlantic Forest
Habitat loss and fragmentation lie among the biggest threats to biodiversity, capable of contributing to declines in biological communities. The response to these disturbances depend on landscape metrics and also metrics intrinsic to the fragments, and can also vary among different species. Our study test how fragment area, isolation, shape, matrix quality and distance to the nearest permanent course of water (river or pond) affect fruit-feeding butterflies richness and abundance in the northeastern portion of Atlantic Forest. We used 15 fragments, surrounded by a heterogeneous matrix, consisting predominantly of sugarcane crop fields, ranging from 1,7 to 27,4 hectares, spread in distance classes to a permanent course of water ranging from zero and 2000 meters. Species richness and abundance decreased with increased distance to water. Model selection suggested distance to the water as the main factor affecting species richness and abundance, but matrix quality is also an important predictor for species richness, while fragment shape is important for abundance. Our results highlight the conservation value of small fragments, and sheds light to a new relevant factor in distance to a permanent course of water as a key factor for fruit-feeding butterflies communities in the Atlantic Forest.