The diversity of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera:<br/>
Geometridae) was investigated in two tropical montane<br/>
cloud forests in southern Ecuador and in central Costa<br/>
Rica. The study covered an elevational range from c.<br/>
1000 to 2700 m.a.s.l. in both locations. Data were<br/>
analyzed for eight sites, representing four elevations in<br/>
each of the two study areas. A total of 770 species (4569<br/>
specimens) were sampled in Ecuador vs. 503 in Costa<br/>
Rica (7303 specimens). Sampling was incomplete and it<br/>
is expected that more species will be found in both areas.<br/>
Moth diversity was extremely high in Ecuador and<br/>
almost invariably higher than at comparable elevations<br/>
in Costa Rica. Values of Fisher?s a index ranged between<br/>
70 and 131 in Ecuador, and between 31 and 83 in Costa<br/>
Rica. An analysis of rarefied species numbers led to very<br/>
similar results. At a level of 390 rarefied specimens, the<br/>
range was 131?179 species at the Ecuadorian sites, vs.<br/>
77?140 at the Costa Rican sites. Only 64 (5.3%) out of the<br/>
total of 1209 species were common to both areas. The<br/>
results of this study underline the fact that the tropical<br/>
Andean mountains are one of the ?hot spots? of local<br/>
diversity of geometrid moths, and that the threatened<br/>
Andean cloud forests should be given the highest priority<br/>
in conservation policy. Similarly, countries like Costa<br/>
Rica, which are already actively engaged in nature<br/>
conservation, may find additional motivation in the<br/>
present results to continue their efforts.
