MacDonald et al.
The butrton Lakes park butterflies in Canada are not just independent of their families – they are a new, completely different species, with a lineage of them alone.
It was considered part of the species Half-moon hairstreak (Satyrium semiluna). Now scientists have realized that this bizarre brown and hairy butterfly belongs to a totally different species, from which few copies are known. They called him Satyrium curiosolusor butterfly-pure-cursely-insald.
According to the advance, this lonely butterfly is probably isolated from their closest relatives for about 40,000 yearshaving gradually developed distinct genetic and ecological characteristics.
This species was found in Canada at Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta.
“The complete sequencing of the S. curiosolus genome has revealed a surprisingly low and exceptionally high levels of historical consanguinity Compared to the populations of S. geographically closer semulun in British Columbia and Montana, more than 400 km away, ”explains Zac MacDonald, one of the new authors of this species, published in April in April ZooKeys.
Therefore established its own lineage. “Like the Fox of the Channel Islands, S. Curiosolus canr Eliminated some of its recessive genetic variations harmful Through a long and gradual history of consanguinity, allowing it to persist as a small and completely isolated population to this day, ”explains the researcher.
The problem, explaining scientists, is that because it has spent a long time isolated, this species has a very low genetic diversity, which means that the species has a reduced potential for adaptation to climate change.
The recognition of St. Curiosa As a species highlights its unique evolutionary trajectory and emphasizes the urgent need for personalized conservation strategies, explains Scitechdaily.
“The discovery of St. Curiosa It is a powerful demonstration of how genome is revolutionizing taxonomy and conservation, ”commented co -author Julian Dupuis.
“While traditional taxonomic methods often depend only on morphology, our study highlights the importance of integrating genomic and ecological data to reveal hidden diversity. With the emergence of Genomic ferrypreviously unknown species, such as S. curiosolus, are being discovered, highlighting the need forand conservation strategies that take into consideration the crank biodiversity, ”he concludes.
