NOTES ON THE SATYRID BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS OF CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK COSTA-RICA

Results of a mark-release recapture study of satyrid butterflies at Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica are reported. Seven species were captured in undisturbed primary forest along the Olla Trail [Pierella luna, P. helvetia incanescens, Cithaerias menander, Euptychia arneae, E. libye, E. insolata, Taygetis andromeda]. Eleven species, including all but 1 of the species from the undisturbed habitat, were found in the more heterogeneous habitat along the Rio Claro Trail [P. luna, P. h. incanescens, E. arneae, E. hermes, E. libye, E. confusa, E. usitata, E. pseudoconfusa, E. hesione, T. andromeda, C. menander]. Two of the principal forest species, P. luna Fabricius and E. arnaea Fabricius, occur in viscous populations (repeated recaptures within a relatively small area), with a predominance of males among captured individuals. The population structure of C. menander Drury was extremely fluid (no recaptures), with mostly females captured and no behavioral preference for local high points. The other major understory species, P. h. incanescens Godman and Salvin, was not captured often enough to make any significant biological inferences. Results are discussed with reference to theories of competition, character displacement and ecological disturbance.