Abstract

SALINAS-GUTIERREZ, JOSÉ LUIS et al. Towards a synthesis of the Papilionoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera) from Guatemala with a historical sketch. Caldasia [online]. 2009, vol.31, n.2, pp.407-440. ISSN 0366-5232.

The Mesoamerican biological richness is enormous. Within this large geographic area are located some of the most diverse ecosystems on earth (rain forests), as well as major centers of endemism in the world (cloud forests). Countries, such as Guatemala, have large areas of tropical rain forest and cloud forest and for this reason it is very important to analyze the diversity in this region. Unfortunately, the butterfly fauna of Guatemala is poorly known and therefore it is necessary to conduct a study and analysis of its composition and diversity. This is the first effort in compiling different kinds of information to increase our knowledge of the butterflies in Guatemala and the Neotropics. The list includes 761 species with records of biological collections, literature, field collections, unpublished data, and data bases. Some aspects of the diversity, species composition and geographical distribution of the butterflies in Guatemala with respect to other geographic units, are commented. A historical sketch is also presented. Today, the knowledge of the butterflies of this country is rapidly increasing and this is one of many on-going studies.

Keywords : Central America; richness; diversity; history; species list; butterflies; history of entomology; Guatemala.

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