Insect extinctions on a small denuded Bornean island
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Abstract
We report odonate and butterfly extinctions on Pulau Mengalum (Sabah) between 1928 and 2007. Pulau Mengalum has lost all of its closed-canopy forest; 55.5% of the odonates and 40% of the butterflies present in 1928 have likely been extirpated. Fourteen and five species of odonates and butterflies found by us were new records for the island, respectively. It is unclear if newly recorded species were missed by previous surveyors in 1928 or if they have colonized the island after that time. While our study indicates that deforestation is a serious threat to tropical insects, it remains unclear if deforested areas provide opportunities for new colonists.
Keywords
Deforestation, Biodiversity crisis, Conservation, Odonata, Butterflies, Southeast Asia
Publication Title
Biodiversity and Conservation
Volume
19
Issue
2, SI
Publisher
Kluwer (now part of Springer)
Publisher Location
VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS