A study of the butterfly diversity in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest, Kenya
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Date
1997Author
Ayiemba, Washington O.
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
In this study the diversity of butterfly fauna in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is examined by
looking into their population abundance and seasonality. Investigation of these were by means
of systematic collecting and trapping, and by use of weekly walking transects in which 60
butterfly species encountered were counted. From the general collection and trapping a total of
134 species of butterflies were caught. These were representative of 5 families, 14 subfamilies
and 58 genera. Also recorded were the habitats in which the butterflies were caught and their
periods of flight. Butterfly abundance fluctuated with change in weather conditions: the change
in monthly abundance correlated positively with both change in temperature and rainfall. The
different vegetation zones within the study area were observed to have significantly different
diversities. These differences were present even amongst transects belonging to the same zone.
The change in species richness and species diversity were, however, not significantly different
amongst the transects within the different vegetation zones.
Citation
M.Sc ThesisSponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
School of Mathematics, University of Nairobi
Description
Master of Science Thesis