Population Biology of Mcclungia cymo salonina (Nymphalidae: Ithomiini)

Population studies of tropical butterflies are still scarce considering the huge diversity of species worldwide, and historical data are even more limited.The present paper describes in detail the population parameters of M. cymo salonina from a semideciduous forest in the interior of São Paulo state, Brazil. A mark-release-recapture (MRR) program was carried out in a forest fragment in Sumaré municipality, from August 17, 1974 to October 26, 1977. In total, 2892 individuals were captured and marked (1620 males and 1272 females). The estimated population size varied from two to 1349 individuals per day for males and from one to 908 for females. For both sexes, the population showed a markedly seasonal pattern in the three studied years, with a distinct peak at the end of the wet season, followed by a decrease in numbers at the beginning of the dry season, maintaining low numbers until the mid-wet season. The overall sex ratio (56% male) was male-biased, but considering the months separately, this bias was reported in only nine out of the 25 tested months. The residence time (based on recaptured individuals) varied from one to 91 days for males and from one to 112 for females; the average residence time of males and females was not significantly different. The age structure was unstable and showed a clear predominance of new individuals at the onset of the population peaks, followed by an increase in the proportion of intermediate and old individuals in the ensuing months. Survival curves were similar for both sexes, approaching a type II survival curve. The present study provides novel information regarding this group, indicating that general patterns are still not well explored. Therefore, any further studies on ithomiines, including different species and populations of already studied species, are highly encouraged.