Mangal das Garças and Museu Catavento Strengthen Butterfly Conservation
The exchange between butterfly houses mainly aims to maintain genetic diversity and ensure the longevity of populations kept in confined spaces
The Zoobotanical Park Mangal das Garças, in Belém, resumes an important partnership with the Museu Catavento, in São Paulo (SP), focused on the conservation and breeding of butterflies in captivity. The collaboration between the institutions, which began about 10 years ago with the sending of breeding stock of the owl butterfly (Caligo illioneus), now enters a new chapter with the resumption of specimen exchanges and technical experiences.
According to Basílio Guerreiro, a biologist at Mangal das Garças, the initial sending of breeding stock to the "Catavento" directly contributed to the formation of the butterfly house at the São Paulo institution. The breeding was so successful that the species is now easily maintained.
National Network - The re-approach between the two spaces occurred at the end of 2023, initiated by biologist Maristela Zamoner, who brought together butterfly houses from various regions of Brazil to form a network of collaboration and experience exchange. The meeting resulted in the publication of a collective book, in which each institution contributed a chapter – including Mangal das Garças.
During the exchanges between professionals, the Museu Catavento proposed to reciprocate the old partnership by offering Mangal new specimens of Caligo illioneus, a species that had been lost by the Pará butterfly house about two years ago. In return, Mangal committed to provide another species to the São Paulo museum soon.
The exchange between butterfly houses primarily aims to preserve genetic diversity and ensure the longevity of populations kept in confined spaces.
"These exchanges are essential to maintain the genetic variability of the species," the biologist stated.
"In closed environments, it is common for individuals of the same lineage to interbreed, which can compromise the health of the butterflies. With the exchange between institutions, we can renew the population and ensure the survival of the species over time," added Basílio Guerreiro.
As part of the new phase of the partnership, professionals from the Museu Catavento, led by biologist Maiara Bezerra, will visit Mangal das Garças next June to learn about the management methods adopted in Belém. In August, when the butterfly house at Museu Catavento celebrates 10 years of operation, Mangal will be honored as a key partner institution in its creation.
The partnership reaffirms the role of the Zoobotanical Park Mangal das Garças as a national reference in the breeding and preservation of butterflies, strengthening networks of scientific cooperation and contributing to the conservation of Brazilian biodiversity.
Text: Beatriz Santos - Ascom/OS Pará 2000
