The advancement of genetic technology has allowed an international team of scientists to identify nine new species of South American butterflies, all of which have been stored for decades at the Natural History Museum in London.
The discovery, published in the journal Zootaxa, expands knowledge about the region’s biodiversity and underscores the urgency of preserving habitats threatened by accelerated deforestation in South America.
Ancient DNA: A Window to the Past
The study, led by Christer Fåhraeus, used cutting-edge ancient DNA sequencing techniques, capable of extracting genetic material from a single butterfly leg, even if the specimen is more than a century old.
This methodology allowed for the comparison of modern DNA with that of historical specimens, revealing genetic differences imperceptible to the naked eye.
“Thanks to the genetic revolution and the collaboration of researchers and museums from various countries, century-old butterflies now speak to us,” explained Christophe Faynel, an expert in Hairstreaks and leader of the research.
The Genena Group and the Richness of Hairstreaks
The work focused on the Thereus genena species group, belonging to the subfamily Theclinae, known as Hairstreaks, one of the most diverse groups of butterflies in the world.
The team analyzed more than 1,000 samples from international collections, combining DNA, morphology, and geographical distribution data.
The scientific article, titled “Diagnostic Male Secondary Sexual Structures in the Thereus genena Species Group (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) with the Description of Nine New Species from Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and French Guiana”, details the identification process and the importance of these findings.
The Value of Historical Collections
Blanca Huertas, principal curator of butterflies at the Museum, highlighted the relevance of the collections:
“The Museum houses five million butterfly specimens, representing approximately 6% of the total collection. Some date back to the 17th century, constituting an irreplaceable archive of life on our planet.”
These collections allow the study of species that may no longer exist or are endangered, becoming an invaluable resource for science.
Implications for Conservation
The discovery has direct consequences for conservation. Some newly identified species were collected a century ago in habitats that may no longer exist, putting their survival at risk.
The rapid deforestation of South American tropical forests threatens the existence of many species, including the newly described ones, making this type of research a fundamental tool to prioritize protection actions.
Names with History
The difficulty in distinguishing between species is reflected in the chosen names:
- T. confusus, alluding to the taxonomic challenge.
- T. cacao, in honor of the region where the specimen was found.
- T. ramirezi, a tribute to local scientists.
Before the study, it was thought that the genena group included only five species and four synonyms, but genetic and morphological analysis showed that the diversity was much greater.
Beyond Genetics
The identification process was not limited to DNA. Researchers examined male secondary sexual structures and other subtle morphological characteristics, key to differentiating species that appeared identical to the naked eye.
The combination of methods allowed overcoming the limitations of traditional observation, especially in cases where pattern imitation and cohabitation in the same habitats made classification difficult.
The discovery of nine new species of South American butterflies demonstrates how genetics applied to historical collections can reveal hidden biodiversity and provide crucial information for conservation.
The Natural History Museum in London, with its five million specimens, is established as a central player in these investigations, while deforestation in South America reminds us of the urgency to protect the habitats that still survive.
