Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey

Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey
Taxonomic notes
Before this species was described in 1987 it was believed to be
Hyponephele davendra, a widespread species from SW Iran and
Pakistan. Later the specimens were recognised to belong to a new
species and assigned the name Hyponephele urartua, endemic to Turkey
(Hesselbarth et al. 1995).
Habitat and Ecology
Urartuan Steppe Brown occurs on dry, open scree slopes with very
sparse vegetation (Hesselbarth et al. 1995). In this habitat the
butterflies are difficult to catch and this, combined with the fact that
they fly only at the hottest time of day (Hesselbarth et al. 1995), may
partly explain why there are no recent records. Although the larval
foodplant is not known (Hesselbarth et al. 1995) it is considered
probably to be grasses (Baytaş 2007). It flies from early July to early
August at 1,600-2,300 m. Larval instars are unknown (Hesselbarth et
al. 1995).
Population Trend
Increasing Decreasing Stable Unknown
Population
This species is very rare. Its population is split between two
geographically separate regions - Erzurum (two sites) and Hakkari
Şırnak (six sites) - with no records from the region in between. Experts
thus consider these two subpopulations to be isolated and fragmented.
Nothing further is known about its population size or structure.
Urartuan Steppe Brown has not been recorded from Erzurum and
Şırnak since 1983 and Hakkari since 1992. The site in Erzurum is
regularly visited by experienced butterfly watchers and scientists, yet
there are no recent records; this may indicate a decline in the number
of subpopulations.
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Hyponephele urartua
Threats
Despite the fact that this is a conspicuous butterfly, not easily confused
with other species, and the Erzurum locality is regularly visited, there are
no recent records and there is concern that this may indicate a decline
in population. However, there is no information on the biology, ecology
or behaviour and, without more understanding of the butterfly, it is not
possible to identify threats with any certainty.
Recommended conservation action
The sites where this species has been recorded need to be visited to learn
if it is still present and to identify any potential threats.
Research is needed to understand more about its biology, ecology and
population structure.
Selected References
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Assessment date
18.10.2010
Assessors
Karaçetin, E., Welch, H.J. & Red List Working Group participants,
Ankara 10-12.08.2009.
Karaçetin, E. and Welch, H.J. (2011). Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey. Ankara, Turkey: Doğa Koruma Merkezi. Available from: [www.dkm.org.tr]