Patterns of Butterfly Species Density in Peninsular Florida

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Abstract
We examine patterns of butterfly distributions in peninsular Florida in the context of gradients in species density, and speculate on the roles of extinction-recolonization equilibria and ecological constraints in determining the observed patterns. We briefly compare patterns of butterfly species density between Florida and Baja California. The butterfly fauna of Florida appears to represent the transition between a northern temperate and a southern tropical component. The temperate component exhibits a peninsular effect; the tropical component exhibits an inverse peninsular effect. Patterns of butterfly species density appear to be the result of ecological constraints; colonization is contingent upon the availability of a select larval hostplant; persistence, at least for tropical species, probably is determined by species' ability to withstand low winter temperatures. Butterfly species density in Florida is highly correlated with woody plant species density.

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