Distribution, life history and conservation assessment of the critically endangered butterfly Pseudolucia parana (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Abstract

Pseudolucia parana Bálint, 1993 was described from Castro, Paraná, Brazil, where it was first collected over 120 years ago. It was observed/collected quite sporadically in the second half of the 20th century in a few isolated habitats in the State of Paraná. Excluding a single record since the early 2000s, the species was not observed in all its known sites in Paraná due to urbanization of its habitats or change of land use. Consequently the species in Paraná state is highly endangered, possibly extinct. Efforts to find the species in the state Santa Catarina failed. A new hope to the survival of the species appeared in the southernmost state Rio Grande do Sul, where some relict populations are documented. The results of rescue expeditions to several granitic hills in the region are presented and the current distribution P. parana is assessed. First descriptions of its early stages, ecology, ethology and recommendations for conservation are given. The data provided indicate that the global status of P. parana should be Critically Endangered. Some molecular traits of P. parana are analysed resulting in a preliminary assessment for the age of the populations. With 24 figures.