H3ABioNet, a sustainable pan-African bioinformatics network for human heredity and health in Africa

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

African Journal of Ecology

Publication Date

9-17-2001

Abstract

Species richness, diversity and composition of butterflies in two Kenya coastal forest remnants, Muhaka and Mrima hill, were investigated. Sixty-three species were recorded from each forest remnant from a total of 1329 individuals. Species accumulation curves for both forests did not reach an asymptote. High species similarity was recorded between the forest interior and the surrounding matrix, primarily due to invasion of the forest interior clearings by the savanna species. Despite their small sizes, these forest remnants were found to maintain viable populations of true forest butterflies. However, the number of species was less than half that recorded from the larger forest reserve of Arabuko-Sokoke, located in the same geographical area. Records from Muhaka forest show species unique to it, not found in the larger forest reserves, underscoring the importance of small remnants in the preservation of forest biodiversity. The high species similarity between the forest remnants implied that if habitat corridors were created, gene flow between these remnants and other larger forest reserves would be possible. This would reduce the isolation of true forest butterfly populations within the remnants and potential local extinction.

Keywords

Forest remnants, Species diversity, Species richness

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