This document summarizes a study that recorded a new butterfly species, Euploea radamanthus radamanthus, in the Dudpukuria-Dhopachari wildlife sanctuary in Bangladesh. A total of 64 butterfly species from 7 families were recorded during the study period from October 2013 to June 2014. Euploea radamanthus radamanthus is newly documented as occurring in Bangladesh based on photographs taken of the species mud puddling in the sanctuary. This adds to the knowledge of butterfly diversity and distribution in Bangladesh.
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International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 2014; 1 (5): 22-23
ISSN2347-2677
IJFBS 2014; 1 (5): 22-23
Received: 09-07-2014
Accepted: 01-08-2014
Omar Shahadat
Department of Zoology, Jagannath
University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh.
Tanvir Ahmed
Department of Zoology, Jagannath
University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh.
Amit Kumer Neogi
Department of Zoology, Jagannath
University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh.
Correspondence:
Tanvir Ahmed
Department of Zoology, Jagannath
University, Dhaka-1100,
Bangladesh.
Email: shaikot2023jnu@ gmail.com
Confirmation record of a butterfly species Euploea
radamanthus radamanthus Fabricius, 1793 (Family:
Nymphalidae) from Dudpukuria-Dhopachari wildlife
sanctuary, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Omar Shahadat, Tanvir Ahmed, Amit Kumer Neogi
Abstract
A study on butterfly diversity of Dudpukuria-Dhopachari wildlife sanctuary was carried out from October,
2013 to June, 2014. A total 64 species were recorded belonging 7 families and one species Euploea
radamanthus radamanthus Fabricius, 1793 (Magpie Crow) under family Nymphalidae (order: Lepidoptera)
was newly recorded in Bangladesh as distribution. The findings of the present study is to contribute and to
update the butterfly checklist and is documented as new species as distribution in Bangladesh.
Keywords: Butterfly, Magpie Crow, Nymphalidae, Lepidoptera, Bangladesh, Distribution.
1. Introduction
Butterflies are generally regarded as one of the best taxonomically studies groups of insects [12]
.
Since early 18 century about 19,238 species of butterflies have been documented worldwide [7]
.
Studies on butterfly fauna are very few in Bangladesh. Very few studies on butterfly fauna in
Bangladesh are well documented. Since 1947 very little research on butterflies has been
conducted. According to Larsen only 311 butterfly species had been recorded from Bangladesh
[10]. Neogi AK et al. has added 5 more new species to the checklist which takes the total number
of butterflies to 316 [13]. Bangladesh for its rich natural properties has long been considered a
realm of a number of butterfly species. But it is important to know the exact number of butterfly
species that currently exist. Systematic data collections from all parts of the country are essential
to compile the checklist to be updated about butterfly fauna of Bangladesh. In due course of an
ongoing study on butterflies covering the core area of Dhopachari forest range under the
Dudpukuria-Dhopachari wildlife sanctuary, a new butterfly species Euploea radamanthus
radamanthus Fabricius, 1793 (Magpie Crow) was recorded for the first time in Bangladesh as
distribution in the coordinate of 22属1335.8霞 N & 92属0678.8霞 E. According to Larsen, it should
be in Srimangal forests and in the Chittagong hill tracks in Chittagong division [10].
2. Materials and Methods
The butterflies were recorded from the study area during the butterfly survey from October,
2013 to June, 2014. Butterflies were primarily identified directly in the field by capturing
photographs (using Nikon D3200 with 70-300 mm lens). Few cases specimen were collected
with sweep nets, placed in plastic bottle or plastic bag and carried to laboratory for further
identification. Specimens were killed also by killing jar with chloroform and reserved in a
plastic bottle. Sometimes specimens were caught for identification and then released without
any harm. Collected butterflies were identified using field guides and following the
identification key developed by Evans (1932) [5]
.
3. Results & Discussion
To protect the biodiversity, Dudpukuria-Dhopachari forest had been declared as a wildlife
sanctuary in 2010 comprises a total area of 4,717 ha reserve evergreen and semi evergreen
tropical forest. The sanctuary is situated along with a borderline of Chittagong, Rangamati and
Bandarban districts at the foot of the Karnafuly and Sangu River. Most of parts of the
Dudpukuria-Dhopachari wildlife sanctuary consists of Chittagong hills tracks area, is located
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International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies
under Dudpukuria east and west Kurushia, west Dhopachari and
single Dhopachari mouza. The wildlife sanctuary is located in
kurushia range of Rangunia upazilla and dohazari range of
Chandanaish upazilla. While surveying for the butterfly diversity,
seasonality, availability of larval host plants, observed broad
habitat types, ecological, behavioral observations, flight pattern and
status of butterflies in the study area during October 2013 to June
2014 around Chittagong hill tracts and total 64 species were
identified. The individual Euploea radamanthus radamanthus
Fabricius, 1793 (Magpie Crow), was photographed at the time of
mud puddling near the cow shed on 10th
April, 2014.
9 species from Nymphalidae family has been recorded by previous
study under the genus Euploea. Such as Euploea mulciber mulciber
Cramer, 1777 (Striped Blue Crow), Euploea midamus rogenhoferi
Felder & Felder, 1865 (Blue-Spotted Crow), Euploea klugii kiugii
Moore, 1858 (Blue-king Crow), Euploea klugii kollari Felder &
Felder, 1865 (Brown King-Crow), Euploea algae deione
Westwood, 1848 (Long-Branded Blue Crow), Euploea core core
Cramer, 1780 (Common Crow), Euploea crameri nicevillei Moore,
1890 (Sundarbans Crow), Euploea doubledayi doubledayi Felder &
Felder, 1865 (Striped Black Crow), Euploea sylvester coreta
Godart, 1819 (Double-Branded Crow). According to Larsen,
Euploea radamanthus radamanthus Fabricius, 1793 (Magpie
Crow) occurs widely in the Arakan and was common in Cachar. It
should be both in the Srimangal forests and in the Chittagong
Division [1, 2, 3, 10]
.
Wing span of Magpie Crow is: 80-90 mm.
Geographical distribution: India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and
Singapore.
Morphological characteristics: Upper fore wings of male are
velvety bluish black with pale blue sub-marginal spots. A pale blue
brand present in 1b of upper fore wings. Large white patch present
in discal area. Upper hind wings have few long, broad whitish
streaks in basal to discal area. Some pale blue spots present in sub-
marginal area of upper hind wings. Pale blue spots also present in
sub-marginal areas of under hind wings and also white streaks
present in basal to discal of under hind wings.
Fig A: Dorsal view of E. radamanthus radamanthus during flying after
mud puddling
Fig B: Ventral view of E. radamanthus radamanthus during mud puddling
4. Conclusion
These records decisively confirm the presence of Euploea
radamanthus radamanthus Fabricius, 1793 (Magpie Crow), a new
butterfly species for Bangladesh as distribution. This kind of
finding is significantly important in updating the status and
regional distribution of butterfly fauna of Bangladesh.
5. Acknowledgements
Authors would like to acknowledge Professor Dr. Gulshan Ara
Latifa, Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka for her
logistic support during study time. Authors also thankful to Mohan
Kumar Dash for his excellent participation during survey time.
6. References
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