Mariposas altiandinas (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE, SATYRINAE) y la conservación de los páramos en Venezuela

Cartel presentado en el Congreso Mundial de Páramos en Paipa, Boyacá (Colombia) del 13 al 18 de mayo de 2002. Asociado a un artículo publicado en el primer tomo de memorias del congreso (ver enlaces).

Abstract

High Andean butterfly genera Redonda and Diaphanos (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) occur exclusively in the paramos of the Venezuelan Andes east of the Táchira Depression. These genera belong to two lineages of different origin, one Neotropical and the other Holarctic, and currently show allelopatric distributions. However, the species and/or subspecies embraced by each one are all allopatric in relation to its congeners. As a product of this distribution pattern, these butterflies exhibit three biogeographical features considered relevant for conservation biology: endemism, insularity, and relative narrowness of its distribution area. Recent geo-historical events could be linked to the origin of this fauna and its confinement. Nevertheless, biological attributes like the strongly sedentary behavior of the adult females, the absolute dependence of their larvae on certain poaceous host-plants of the páramos, or the phenology of some species (that stay on the wing only during the dry season), not only increase the vulnerability given by their singular distribution, but also add precarious maintenance of the populations in areas where human presence, sporadic or perennial, is continuously disturbing the landscape. Men alters and/or eliminate the original vegetation, mainly by means of introducing exotic cattle that grazes and steps heavily on the host-plants of these insects; or less frequently by setting fires that go out of control, with devastating effects on those plants.