Topic
Morpho helenor
About: Morpho helenor is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4 publications have been published within this topic receiving 9 citations. The topic is also known as: Common Blue Morpho.
Papers
TL;DR: Bolivian M. helenor populations are distributed throughout a wide range of ecological contexts: the habitat plasticity of the species is discussed in light of available knowledge of its geographical distribution and habitats in the Neotropic Region.
Abstract: The geographical distribution of Morpho helenor (Cramer) in Bolivia is mapped from the study of specimens preserved in Bolivian and foreign collections, and from recent field studies in various ecoregions. One subspecies, M. h. theodorus Fruhstorfer, inhabits Amazonian moist forests in the western and northern parts of the country. Another subspecies, M. h. coelestis Butler, is common in moist cloud forests (Bolivian Yungas), but also occurs to the North and North-East. We describe a new subspecies, M. h. prometa ssp. nov., from Southern Andean Yungas. Transition zones between theodorus and coelestis are highlighted, where specimens exhibiting intermediate phenotypes were collected. The pattern of geographic transition from M. h. coelestis to M. h. prometa needs to be documented. M. h. prometa inhabits sub-humid, semideciduous forests, whereas M. h. theodorus and M. h. coelestis live in rainforests. M. h. coelestis populations are found from less than 100 m to more than 1600 m a.s.l.; M. h. theodorus has been collected at more than 1000 m a.s.l.; and M. h. prometa between 500 m and 1400 m a.s.l.. Therefore, Bolivian M. helenor populations are distributed throughout a wide range of ecological contexts: we discuss the habitat plasticity of the species in light of available knowledge of its geographical distribution and habitats in the Neotropical Region.
11 citations
1 Jul 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the variation of the population structure of Morpho helenor peleides Kollar, 1850 in a tropical dry forest (TDF) landscape on “Montes de Maria”, in the Caribbean of Colombia.
Abstract: Considering the high destruction rate of forest in the Caribbean of Colombia and the lacking of available information about population ecology of butterflies from the genus Morpho, we analyzed the variation of the population structure of Morpho helenor peleides Kollar, 1850 in a Tropical Dry Forest (TDF) landscape on “Montes de Maria”, in the Caribbean of Colombia. Methodology. For the butterfly study, we used the capture-mark-recapture method (CMR) on seven stations, in which we installed Van Someren-Rydon traps, baited with a mixture of fermented fruits. Results. The total abundance was 287 individuals, with 59 recaptures (20,5%). The population size we obtained was between 8 and 339 individuals. Sexual proportion male-female was 3:1. We captured a higher percentage of new butterflies (41,8%) and intermediate butterflies (38,6%). The maximum residence time we registered was 38 days. We calculated total distances of flight between 149 and 1,231; although females presented the highest average distances (303.7±189.4m), there was not statistical significance in the distances of flight between sexes (U= 265,5, p>0,05). Conclusions. The population structure of M. helenor peleides presented a spatio-temporal variation in the dry forest landscape we studied. Additionally, we determined that natural canopy cover plays an important role in the temporal dynamic and distribution of the abundance of this butterfly group in tropical dry forest, and it is emphasized the importance of this ecosystem in the conservation of this species.
7 citations
10 Apr 2013
TL;DR: Expansion of the distribution of Morpho helenor montezuma Guenee, 1859 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), in Tamaulipas, Mexico, in 1859 is illustrated.
Abstract: Expansion of the distribution of Morpho helenor montezuma Guenee, 1859 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Acta Zoologica Mexicana (n. s.), 29(1): 245-247.
4 citations
TL;DR: The early stages of M. helenor marinita and M. menelaus amathonte are described for the first time in detail and biogeography and taxonomy trends are discussed for each species in order to enhance the early stages characters significance.
Abstract: . The early stages of M. helenor marinita and M. menelaus amathonte are described for the first time in detail. A M. h. marinita female was caught from El Rodeo of San Jose, in order to obtain its offspring. From egg laying to emergence, an individual of this species took 175 days on Lonchocarpus oliganthus (Fabaceae). It presented a fifth instar diapause of more than two months and its coloration is slightly different from other M. helenor subspecies early stage descriptions. AM. m. amathonte female was caught from Rincon de la Vieja volcano, also in order to obtain its offspring. From egg laying to emergence, on Pterocarus officionalis (Fabaceae) an individual of this species took 134 days. Color pictures of each instar of the larvae for both species were taken, as well as the egg and pupa. Biogeography and taxonomy trends are discussed for each species in order to enhance the early stages characters significance.
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |