Extensive climate-induced range shifts in butterflies across the globe.

ABSTRACT: Global changes are leading to widespread species redistribution. Comprehensive assessments of range shift dynamics and their drivers are difficult, partly due to the variation in range shift detection over space and taxa. Here we compile documented range shift records for 1,758 butterfly species from 105 countries and territories, representing ~10% of the known diversity of these insects. Most species (80%) experienced range expansions, and most range shifts (79%) were associated with climate change and extreme weather events. A substantial proportion of species in our dataset contracted their ranges (27%) or shifted along elevational gradients (22%). We report widespread horizontal range expansions and contractions across tropical countries, with less evidence for elevational range shifts

SUBMITTER: Chowdhury S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC13642037 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature