The recently discovered butterfly known as the Tanana Arctic (Oeneis tanana) provides researchers with one of the rare examples of a hybridized species in the wild other than plants. This combination of two distinct butterflies likely occurred as a way for the creatures to survive the harsh conditions in the Alaskan wilderness.
In a study featured in the Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera, a team of researchers from the University of Florida examined specimens of the Tanana Arctic, the first species of butterflies discovered in Alaska in the past 30 years, and possibly even the only butterfly that is endemic to the region.
According to the researchers, Tanana Arctic butterflies mostly live in an area in the Tanana-Yukon River Basin that experienced very minimal formation of ice sheets over the past 14,000 to 28,000 years.
It is believed that these creatures came into existence as a result of mating between two related butterfly species, the White-veined Arctic (Oeneis bore) and the Chryxus Arctic (Oeneis chryxus).
However, at some point in the past, Chryxus Arctic butterflies chose to leave their refuge in this unglaciated region and move further into the North American continent, mostly in the Rocky Mountains. This migration could have been influenced when the world reached its coldest point during the last Ice Age.
The remaining butterflies, the White-veined Arctic and its offspring the Tanana Arctic, meanwhile, decided to remain in their Arctic sanctuary.
Before they were discovered by the research team from the University of Florida, the Tanana Arctic butterflies lived in the region undetected for the past 60 years. The creatures bear striking resemblance with their progenitor, the Chryxus Arctic, except for the white spots located on their underbelly. They also have a fairly larger body and darker color compared to their parent.
As far as their DNA goes, Tanana Arctic butterflies have a genetic sequence that is similar to that of White-veined Arctic butterflies that live nearby. The researchers believe this trait is what supports their theory that the White-veined Arctic and the Chryxus Arctic have mated in the past.
Importance Of The Tanana Arctic's Discovery
Andrew Warren, a lepidopterist from the University of Florida and lead author of the study, explained that the finding of the Tanana Arctic could provide scientists with more clues about how the rich ecosystems of Alaska were able to develop in the past.
This allows them to properly map out the history of migration for butterflies, which saw them move from colder regions, such as Russia and Eastern Asia, into North America over the past 30,000 years.
Researchers can also use the butterflies' reaction to various changes in the climate to find out just how much global warming is affecting in the environment in Alaska.
Warren said that the Tanana Arctic have stayed in their Arctic sanctuary undisturbed for so long that if ever they are forced to undergo another migration, it could mean that there are significant changes going on in their environment.
He pointed that the climate in the butterflies' region has already started to change in recent years, causing much of the permafrost to melt.
