The Napaeina consists of 42 extant species in 6 genera, that are widely distributed across the mainland Neotropics. Geographical and elevational patterns of regional and community species richness are explored. Peaks in elevational range edges at 750-1000 m and 1500-1750 m indicate the presence of distinct lowland, premontane and montane Napaeina faunas. 77% of Napaeina species are geographically and elevationally, allo- or parapatrically distributed with respect to their closest relatives, and probable modes of speciation in the group are discussed. Napaeina distributional data are used to generate hypotheses of historical area relationships among Neotropical areas of endemism (lowland and montane), using both cladistic biogeography methods and Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity.