Preserving butterfly diversity in an ever‐expanding urban landscape? A case study in the highlands of Chiapas, México

We examined the relationship between landscape structure and composition, geographic ranges, microhabitat characteristics and the diversity of butterflies (Papilionidae, Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae) in an expanding urban landscape in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. Between 2001 and 2016, mountain wetlands, secondary forest, and agro-pasture land, have declined significantly in area covered due to increasing housing activities and expansion of roads and conversion of land for cattle activity. Cloud forest exhibited a minor positive expansion in area, mostly through forest regeneration. In total, we recorded 3630 individuals from 90 species at key sites spanning natural, semi-natural and urban areas. A rarefaction curve analysis for local richness indicated that mountain wetland sites recorded the highest butterfly diversity. Logistic regression analyses suggested that species with narrow geographic ranges could be associated to cloud-forest sites, and that species with relatively more widespread distributions in the Neotropics were more likely to be classified as occurring in mountain wetland habitats. This was confirmed by IndVal analyses from which we identified 39 butterfly species as potential reliable land-cover indicators. Furthermore, canonical correspondence analyses suggested significant associations for the values of butterfly abundance and microhabitat variables such as canopy cover, open areas, presence of grasses, bare soil or rocks. It is a matter of urgency that should put in place monitoring schemes to assess occupancy and change so we can assess changes in the status of butterfly species in rapidly-expanding urban landscapes in tropical Mexico.