Rapoport’s rule explains the range size distribution of butterflies along the Eastern Himalayan elevation gradient

Understanding elevational range size distribution of organisms can provide valuable insights on biogeographic pattern of species and their conservation. Rapoport’s rule posits that the elevational range size of species increases with increasing elevation. However, the validity of this rule is often questioned due to variations in methodologies across studies and inconsistencies among different groups of organisms. In this study we examined the elevational range size distribution of butterflies in the Eastern Himalaya, and assessed the applicability of Rapoport’s rule using different approaches, which perhaps is the first of its kind in the Himalaya. We sampled butterflies along the elevational gradient of 16 elevational bands (300 – 3,300 m) using point count method along the transect. The sampled butterflies were grouped into various sub-groups based on family, biogeographic affinity, and larval feeding pattern. We found that the majority of the butterfly species (total as well as sub-..., All details have been provided in the Manuscript published in Biotropica., , # Data from: Rapoport’s rule explains the range size distribution of butterflies along the Eastern Himalayan elevation gradient

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.00000009r](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.00000009r)

These datasets provides all the data used in the preparation of the Manuscript published in Biotropica.

The datasets are provided in two formats. One in .pdf format and the other in .xls format

The .pdf files corresponding to the supplementary files, labeled as Appendix 1, have been submitted to the journal. The data are presented in Table S1.1 and Table S1.2.

The .xls contains two datasets. One site data (corresponding to Table S1.1 in the appendix) and Species data( corresponding to Table S1.1 in the appendix).

Geospatial coordinates and environmental data have been incorporated into the site data for the convenience of those interested in utilizing the information.
The methodology for extracting environmental data is detailed in the Methodology section of the article.

...