The newly identified zebra-like ringlet butterfly, Splendeuptychia mercedes, from Peru was uncovered in the UK National History Museum collections by Blanca Huertas.
15:00 | Lima, Apr. 13 (ANDINA).
A new butterfly species has been uncovered in the collections at the UK Natural History Museum, scientists announce Tuesday, the same day its Sensational Butterflies exhibition opens. The new tropical butterfly is called the zebra-like ringlet, Splendeuptychia mercedes, and lives only in Peru.
The tropical butterfly, which was named by Museum butterfly curator Blanca Huertas, differs from its closest relatives by having broad stripes on its wings, resembling that of a zebra’s.
It was named after La Merced in Peru, the place where it was first collected in 1903, but it is also found in the Pucacuro Community Reserve, an important area in Peru where other native and endangered species have been found, the Natural History Museum reported.
Blanca’s detective work began in 2005 when she identified another new butterfly in Colombia called the Magdalena Valley ringlet, Splendeuptychia ackeryi. When comparing this specimen with those in museum collections, she found many similar unidentified specimens.
Blanca decided to investigate this butterfly group.
"I started reviewing the whole genus and lots of literature and I could not find a name for the specimens at the Natural History Museum. I visited other museums and I found the new species in a museum in Peru, still without a name," she said.
Blanca explained that Peruvian colleagues are doing what they can to protect this area. "Knowing there may be another new species to protect is a good reason to support the work some scientists and conservationist are doing there."
(END) EEP/LVT
Publicado: 13/4/2011