Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Butterflies--Nebraska; Butterflies; Nebraska;
Abstract
A ten-year study of the distribution and taxonomy of Nebraska butterflies was undertaken. Data were compiled through extensive collecting throughout the state together with examination of museum collections, private collections, and published records. One hundred and sixty-seven species were recorded from the state, but evidence indicates that the number of species in the fauna has decreased with time, with 18% of the fauna recorded only prior to 1960. Some forty typically-western montane taxa were found in the coniferous forests of western Nebraska, Several of these western species have extended their distributions eastward. In contrast, a few species with eastern and southern distribution centers occur in western Nebraska. Detailed data on geographical and temporal distribution are provided. It is postulated that the varied flora and topography of the state markedly influence the occurrence of the butterfly fauna, Analysis of distributional data indicates that the taxa in the western part of the state exhibit an affinity to the butterflies of the Rocky Mountains and western United States, and that taxa from other areas in the state can be traced to other North American distribution centers.
Year of Submission
1970
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of Biology
First Advisor
John C. Downey
Second Advisor
L. J. Eilers
Third Advisor
Virgil E. Dowell
Date Original
1970
Object Description
1 PDF file (107 leaves)
Copyright
©1970 Kurt Duane Johnson
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Kurt Duane, "The Butterflies of Nebraska" (1970). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 3084.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/3084
Comments
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