Diversity of Lycaenidae in Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

Abstract

A field survey in Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary documented 47 lycaenid butterfly species across six subfamilies, predominantly Polyommatinae (27 species). Habitat evaluations demonstrated that woodlands supported the highest species richness (35 taxa) and diversity (Shannon-Wiener index, H´ = 3.055), whereas grasslands exhibited maximum species evenness (0.6069). The documented assemblage includes significant taxa protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 1972. Schedule-I species include the Hypolycaena othona Hewitson and Castalius rosimon Fabricius. The presence of Hypolycaena othona and Castalius rosimon underscores the sanctuary’s critical conservation value. Eight additional species fall under Schedule-II, and one under Schedule-IV. Furthermore, two regional endemics were recorded: the Rapala iarbus Fabricius and Jamides elpis Godart. These quantitative findings establish essential ecological baselines regarding microhabitat dependencies for globally declining taxa.