There are fewer eyespots on the forewings versus hindwings of nymphalids but the reasons for this uneven distribution remain unclear. One possibility is that, in many butterflies, the hindwing covers part of the ventral forewing at rest and there are fewer forewing sectors to display eyespots (covered eyespots are not continuously visible and are less likely to be under positive selection). A second explanation is that having fewer forewing eyespots confers a selective advantage against predators. We analysed wing overlap at rest in 275 nymphalid species with eyespots and found that many have exposed forewing sectors without eyespots: i.e. wing overlap does not constrain the forewing from having the same number or more eyespots than the hindwing. We performed two predation experiments with mantids to compare the relative fitness of and attack damage patterns on two forms of Bicyclus anynana butterflies, both with seven hindwing eyespots, but with two (in wild-type) or four (in Spotty) ventral forewing eyespots. Spotty experienced more intense predation on the forewings, were shorter-lived and laid fewer eggs. These results suggest that predation pressure limits forewing eyespot number in B. anynana . This may occur if attacks on forewing eyespots have more detrimental consequences for flight than attacks on hindwing eyespots.

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The distribution of the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (Carnivora: Felidae) in Myanmar remains poorly known owing to a paucity of verifiable field records.  We here present two recent photographic records that confirm the occurrence of the Fishing Cat in the Ayeyarwady Delta of southern Myanmar.  Our photographic records together with other reports and the availability of suitable wetland habitat suggest that the Ayeyarwady Delta is globally important for Fishing Cat conservation. Deforestation, driven largely by agriculture, however, is of concern for the future survival of the Fishing Cat in Myanmar.  Additional surveys are warranted to further resolve the distribution of the Fishing Cat in Myanmar.

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