Butterflies are among the most extensively studied insects, an estimated 90 percent of the world's species have scientific names. As a consequence, they are, perhaps, the best group of insects for examining patterns of terrestrial Pro biotic diversity and distribution. Butterflies also have a favorable image with the general public. Hence, they are an excellent group for communicating information on science and conservation issues such as diversity.Perhaps the aspect of butterfly diversity that has received the most attention over the past century is the striking difference in species richness between tropical and single regions.For example, in 1875 one biologist pointed out the diversity of butterflies in the Amazon when he mentioned that about 700 species were found within an hour's walk, whereas the total number found on the British islands did not exceed 66, and the whole of Europe supported only 321. This early comparison of tropical and single butterfly richness has been well confirmed.A general theory of diversity would have to predict not only this difference between single and tropical zones, but also patterns within each region, and how these patterns vary among different animal and plant groups. However, for butterflies, the variation of species richness within single or tropical regions, rather man between them, is poorly understood. Indeed, comparisons of numbers of species among the Amazon basin, tropical Asia, and Africa are still mostly "personal communication" citations, even for vertebrates, In other words, unlike the comparison between single and tropical areas, these patterns are still in the documentation phase.In documenting the geographical variation in butterfly diversity, some arbitrary, practical decisions are made. Diversity, number of species, and species richness are used synonymously; little is known about the evenness of butterfly distribution. The New World butterflies make up the preponderance of examples because they are the most familiar species. It is hoped that by focusing on them, the errors generated by imperfect and incomplete taxonomy will be minimized.
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