Biogeographic patterns of Iranian Lepidoptera: A framework for conservation

The order Lepidoptera is one of the most diverse and species-rich insect groups in Iran, with at least 4,812 confirmed species, approximately 20% of which are endemic. Among them, the families Lycaenidae, Geometridae, and Zygaenidae have been extensively studied, each containing a significant number of documented species. Lycaenidae, with 215 species, is the largest family within Rhopalocera in Iran. Geometridae and Zygaenidae, representing diverse non-Papilionoidea families, comprise 539 and 73 species, respectively. While Lycaenidae and Zygaenidae are primarily diurnal, Geometridae are nocturnal, making these families valuable models for studying species distribution patterns, bioregionalization, and Lepidoptera conservation in Iran. Given the country's unique position at the intersection of three zoogeographic realms—the Palearctic, Saharo-Arabian, and Oriental—these families contribute significantly to its high species richness and endemism.

Methods
As part of the Lepidoptera Iranica project, an extensive literature review was conducted on published studies covering various groups of Lepidoptera in Iran. Additionally, the dataset was supplemented with unpublished museum collection materials, resulting in a comprehensive compilation of species records. The collected data were carefully cross-checked taxonomically and phylogenetically by 70 specialists in different lepidopteran families. Finally, all records were georeferenced using Google Earth Pro v. 7.3.6.934 for further analysis. The occurrence dataset comprises 15,030 records for 797 species across three Lepidoptera families: Lycaenidae, Geometridae, and Zygaenidae. Additionally, it includes information on subspecies and the endemism status of each species.