Occurrence of Butterflies in Taita-Taveta, 1912 to 2018
Citation
Collins S, Obondo D, Beta J, Sáfián S (2023). Occurrence of Butterflies in Taita-Taveta, 1912 to 2018. Version 1.1. A Rocha Kenya. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/tr8uw5 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-01.Description
The Taita Hills form part of the Eastern Arc Mountain, a biodiversity hotspot stretching from Taita Hills Kenya to the Udzungwa Mountains in South-central Tanzania. The mountains have a very diverse flora and fauna with a great deal of endemism, about seven butterfly species are endemic to these forests and their fringes including Cymothoe teita (Teita glider), Charaxes xiphares desmondi (King forest Charaxes) and Papilio desmondi teita (Desmond’s blue-banded swallowtail) Charaxes druceanus teita, Charaxes acuminatus teitensis. Charaxes druceanus williamsi is endemic to Kasigau Forest, and together with the East Africa Coastal forests, have been placed as one of the 25 biodiversity hotspot globally. The rate of diminishing of the Taita Hills natural vegetation is so alarming due to the extensive agriculture development which has resulted in loss and fragmentation of habitat. About 220 species of butterflies that are projected to occur in Taita Hills are now under threat towards decline of their habitat. This dataset presents 548 records of butterfly specimens from the larger Taita-Taveta county preserved at the African Butterfly Research Institute. A total of 42 species of butterflies were recorded belonging to three families namely Papilionidae (6), Pieridae (12) and Nymphalidae (24).Purpose
This additional dataset gives a baseline information and a brief description on the occurrence of butterflies in Taita Hills which is part of Eastern Arc Mountain forests. It serves as a body evidence for conservation of African focal landscapes. It also intends to give a focus for the contemporary survey work and management decision. The records also focus on the priorities of key actions by highlighting species of conservation importance.Sampling Description
Study Extent
These data are an occurrence dataset of butterflies collected from Taita Hills and its adjacent areas which include Mbololo, Ngangao forest, Kasigau forest, Kitobo forest, Taita ranch, Taveta and Voi.Sampling
The intensive butterfly sampling was conducted along paths and small forest roads in the vegetation types. The butterflies were captured during the day using sweep nets either in flight or when settled and traps. Specimens reared from larva or ova were also collected from the field. The collected specimens were preserved in the ABRI collection.Quality Control
Steve Collins, Director at ABRI and the lead author, did most of the butterfly identification and assisted by other lepidopterists including Szabolcs Safian, T. Pyrcz and Dr. V.G.L. Van. SomerenThe butterfly species names recorded were referenced using the following books and websites: 1. Torben Larsen’s Book on The Butterflies of Kenya and their natural history 2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility 3. Catalogue of Life 4. Global Name Resolver 5. African butterfly Database Original dataset was then formatted while adhering to Darwin’s Core Standards.
Method steps
- The bait traps were laid along paths and small roads of different vegetation types to attract butterflies. The collectors captured butterflies either in flight or at rest by the use of sweep nets. Sweep nets were held upside down to collect butterflies. The butterfly samples to be retained were then pinched on the thorax. With their wings over the back, the butterflies were then slipped into envelopes or paper triangles. Thereafter, specimens were dried, mounted, labelled and preserved in the ABRI collection. Google Earth was the major tool used to generate each coordinate for each locality, each coordinate was taken from a central position to represent the general locality. Open refine was the ultimate tool used for data cleaning. With this put to proper use, the quality of data was enhanced and common errors made for localities were corrected and spellings were under check too.
Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
Butterfly collection took place in Taita Hills (Lat 3⁰ 22’55” S Long 38⁰21’31” E) and its adjacent areas which include Ngangao forest (Lat 3⁰ 22’ S Long 38⁰20’3” E), Mbololo ( Lat 3⁰ 30’20’’S Long 38⁰ 46’20’’E), Kitobo forest (Lat 3⁰ 26’26” S Long 37⁰ 37’42” E), Taita ranch (Lat 3⁰ 46’23” S Long 39⁰ 3’49” E), Taveta (Lat 3⁰ 24’46” S Long 37⁰ 41’24” E), and Voi (Lat 3⁰ 30’23” S Long 38⁰ 35’10” E). The coordinates were obtained using Google earth and are representatives of general localities therefore are not the actual collection points.
Bibliographic Citations
- 1. Beta J.O., & Ngaruiya G. (2021). Butterfly distribution and habitat conservation status at A Rocha Dakatcha Nature Reserve, Kilifi County, Kenya. African Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 2(2), 127-135. - https://doi.org/10.33886/ajpas.v2i2.216
- 2. Kioko, E. N., Musyoki, A. M., Luanga, A. E., Genga, O. C., & Mwinzi, D. K. (2021). Fluttering beauty with benefit: The butterflies if Taita Hills. A field guide. National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya. -
- 3. Siljander, M., Kuronen, T., Johansson, T., Munyao, M. N., & Pellikka, P. K. (2020). Primates on the farm–spatial patterns of human–wildlife conflict in forest-agricultural landscape mosaic in Taita Hills, Kenya. Applied Geography, 117, 102185. -
Contacts
Steve Collinsoriginator
position: Director
African Butterfly Research Institute
P.O. BOX 14308
Nairobi
00800
KE
email: collinsabri@gmail.com
Dorine Obondo
originator
position: Data Capture Clerk
A Rocha Kenya
P.O Box 383
Watamu
80202
KE
email: dorineauma702@gmail.com
homepage: https://www.arocha.or.ke/
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorine-obondo-7b8588226/
Julius Beta
originator
position: Data Capture Clerk
A Rocha Kenya
P.O Box 383
Watamu
80202
KE
email: betajulius46@gmail.com
homepage: https://www.arocha.or.ke/
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/beta-julius-85b867156/
Szabolcs Sáfián
originator
position: Research Associate
Hungarian Natural History Museum
H-1088 Budapest
Budapest
Budapest Baross utca 13
HU
email: szsafian@gmail.com
Steve Collins
metadata author
position: Director
African Butterfly Research Institute
P.O. BOX 14308
Nairobi
00800
KE
email: collinsabri@gmail.com
Szabolcs Sáfián
metadata author
position: Research associate
Hungarian Natural History Museum
H-1088 Budapest
Budapest
Baross utca 13
HU
email: szsafian@gmail.com
Dorine Obondo
metadata author
position: Data Capture Clerk
A Rocha Kenya
P.O Box 383
Watamu
80202
KE
email: dorineauma702@gmail.com
homepage: https://www.arocha.or.ke/
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorine-obondo-7b8588226/
Julius Beta
metadata author
position: Data Capture Clerk
A Rocha Kenya
P.O Box 383
Watamu
80202
KE
email: betajulius46@gmail.com
homepage: https://www.museums.or.ke/
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/beta-julius-85b867156/
Judith Ochieng
publisher
position: Project Coordinator BID-GBIF
A Rocha Kenya
P.O Box 383
Watamu
80202
KE
email: judith.ochieng@arocha.org
homepage: https://www.arocha.or.ke/
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-adhiambo-955399127/
Lawrence Monda
programmer
position: Technical Liaison GBIF Kenya
National Museums of Kenya
P.O Box 40658
Nairobi
00100
email: Imonda@museums.or.ke
Steve Collins
administrative point of contact
position: Director
African Butterfly Research Institute
P.O. BOX 14308
Nairobi
00800
KE
email: collinsabri@gmail.com