Mount Faifa, a local hotspot of butterfly diversity (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

During four surveys in 2022 and 2023, we studied the butterfly fauna of Mt. Faifa at 25 locations situated mainly on the wooded north western side of the mountain. A total of 75 species were recorded, bringing the species count for the mountain to 82, which represents 65 % of the butterfly fauna of Saudi Arabia. Several rare species were recorded including Lepidochrysops haveni, which is reported in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Given the proximity of the African continent, widespread Pan-African species dominate the biogeographic composition. There are only a few montane species present on Mt. Faifa, and both mid-elevation maximum and a decline in butterfly richness towards the higher altitudes was noticeable. This mountain could be considered a hot spot of butterfly diversity, thus some efforts should be made to preserve the remaining woodlands and other butterfly-rich habitats.