Abstract

LLORENTE-BOUSQUETS, Jorge et al. Biodiversity of Lepidoptera in Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2014, vol.85, suppl., pp.S353-S371. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.7550/rmb.31830.

Based on a thorough analysis of the literature on Lepidoptera associated with Mexico, and a review of the database MARIPOSA (> 500 000 records and specimens), a synthesis of the global Lepidoptera diversity is presented, including estimates and proportions of diversity and endemism in Mexico. In addition, a detailed examination of the species richness and endemism of one of the best-known families in Mexico, Papilionoidea s. lat., is provided, preceded by a summary of state-level, habitat-specific and transect-based research on Lepidoptera diversity conducted over the past 3 decades. In summary, Mexico hosts about 14 500 documented species of Lepidoptera, with about 23 750 species estimated. These figures suggest that 10% of the world's Lepidoptera taxa are represented in Mexico. Among Papilionoidea, similarly, about 10% of the world's taxa are reported from Mexico. Percentages of endemic species for the various families of Papilionoidea in Mexico are: Hesperiidae 15.83%, Papilionidae 6.3%, Pieridae 12.98%, Lycaenidae 5.27%, Riodinidae 11.86% and Nymphalidae 16.29%. When subspecies are considered, 22.2% of these taxa are endemic to Mexico, almost a quarter of all subspecies in the country. The number of endemic taxa represented in each state and biogeographic province is tabulated from a list of about 450 endemic subspecies. Oaxaca and the Sierra Madre del Sur represent the state and biogeographic province with the highest proportion of endemic taxa, while Chiapas and the Gulf Coast region represent the state and biogeographic province hosting the greatest overall diversity.

Keywords : richness; endemism; biogeography; Papilionoidea; butterflies.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )