%0 Journal Article
%T The natural history of the Sinai Baton Blue: the smallest butterfly in the world
%A M James
%J Egyptian Journal of Biology
%D 2006
%I Egyptian British Biological Society
%X Knowledge of the ecology and life history of endangered species is necessary for their successful conservation. In this chapter, I provide a detailed account of the natural history of the Sinai Baton Blue butterfly. I review current knowledge of the genus Pseudophilotes, and explore the butterfly¡¯s phylogeny. This emphasises the paucity of knowledge surrounding the butterfly and related species, and highlights the general differences in its ecology compared with other species used in metapopulation studies. I provide a description of all stages in the butterfly¡¯s lifecycle, including its larval stages (which have never before been described). Using quantitative data relating to adult size, I show that the Sinai Baton Blue can justify claims made that it is ¡®the smallest butterfly in the world¡¯. I also provide considerable quantitative data on the butterfly¡¯s behaviour and ecology, and examine aspects of its mating and oviposition behaviour. Colour photographs illustrate its habitus and aspects of its behaviour and ecology.
%U http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ejb/article/view/56534