Download (PDF 594 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/44425.pdf
Abstract
The biogeographic affinites of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperidae), damsel and dragonflies (Odonata), and ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) reported from the State of Sonora, Mexico were analyzed using published species lists. The combined distribution of these taxa was proportionally greater (47.4%) for those species within the Mega-Mexico3 biogeographic category (Southwestern United States south to northern Central America). Formicidae was the most highly restricted taxon with greater proportions of Sonoran desert endemics. Butterflies had a greater proportion of tropical species (82.8%), whereas dragonflies and damselflies from Sonora were most widely distributed either north or south of Mega-Mexico. Differences in the biogeographic affinities of the three insect taxa are attributed to specificity of immature host plants and the distribution and persistence of species habitats.
Parent Publication
Keywords
Madrean Archipelago,
Sky Islands,
southwestern United States,
northern Mexico,
natural environment,
fauna,
flora,
research,
management,
biodiversity,
climate change
Citation
Jones, Robert W.; Obregon-Zuniga, Alejandro; Guzman-Rodriguez, Sandra. 2013. Preliminary assessment of biogeographic affinities of selected insect taxa of the state of Sonora, Mexico. In: Gottfried, Gerald J.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Collins, Loa C. Merging science and management in a rapidly changing world: Biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago III and 7th Conference on Research and Resource Management in the Southwestern Deserts; 2012 May 1-5; Tucson, AZ. Proceedings. RMRS-P-67. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 133-137.
