Biodiversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) in Mountain Koritnik in the Republic of Kosovo

The following paper outlines a study conducted on the abundance, distribution, and diversity of butterflies in Mt. Koritnik. located in the Republic of Kosovo, during ۲۰۱۹–۲۰۲۲. This research resulted in a total of ۸۱۶۶ recorded specimens, which belonged to ۶ butterfly families, ۵۰ genera and ۱۳۱ species. The richest family in terms of abundance was Nymphalidae with ۴۶۱۱ specimens (۵۶.۴۷%), followed by Lycaenidae ۱۹۲۴ specimens (۲۳.۵۶%), Pieridae ۸۵۶ (۱۰.۴۸%), ۵۶۱ Hesperiidae (۶.۸۷%), Papilionidae ۱۷۹ specimens (۲.۱۹%) and Riodinidae with ۲۴ specimens (۰.۲۹%). In terms of species richness, Nymphalidae were the richest with ۵۵ species, Lycaenidae ۴۰, followed by ۱۵ Pieridae, ۱۵ Hesperiidae, ۵ Papilionidae and ۱ Roidinidae. Among ۱۳۱ registered species, ۱۱ have Near Threatened status in Europe. Our results indicated that species richness and abundance of butterflies were significantly negatively correlated with altitude (p<۰.۰۱), whereas they showed a strong positive correlation (p<۰.۰۱) with the temperature. The highest abundance and number of species were presented in the lower altitudinal range and the numbers decreased with altitude increasing. Activities such as intensive agriculture, grazing, fires and illegal timber cutting, which were observed during our survey, may be the main threats for butterflies in Mt. Koritnik in the future, therefore, we suggest the data from this research serve as a basic information for authorities to monitor future changes in butterfly diversity.

Keywords:

Abundance , altitude , environment , distribution , temperature , richness