‘Cryptic' creatures seen ‘sunning themselves' in Canada. They're a new species
In a national park of southern Canada, some 'cryptic' creatures perched on the plants and enjoyed the sunlight. Something about the relatively 'drab'-looking animals caught the attention of visiting scientists — and for good reason.
They turned out to be a new species.
Researchers trekked into Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, from 2020 to 2024 to survey a 'highly isolated' population of butterflies, according to a study published April 17 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys.
For years, scientists believed the Alberta butterflies were just a unique population of half-moon hairstreaks, or Satyrium semiluna, a species found throughout the western United States. But the more scientists learned about these butterflies, the more distinctive they seemed.
Researchers collected several butterflies from Alberta, analyzed their DNA and compared the results to other butterfly species, the study said. Looking at the results, researchers realized they'd discovered a 'cryptic' new species: Satyrium curiosolus, or the curiously isolated hairstreak.
Curiously isolated hairstreaks are 'small' and 'drab,' measuring less than 2 inches across, researchers said. Photos show the butterflies with 'predominately brownish' wings.
The new species looks similar to the half-moon hairstreak butterfly but lives in a different type of habitat, prefers different plants and interacts with different ants, the study said.
Curiously isolated hairstreaks live 'in the middle of a montane valley' at elevations of about 4,200 feet, researchers said. Eggs hatch in the early spring, spend a few months as larvae before undergoing metamorphosis, and emerge as adults in July.
A photo shows a larva of the new species with ants that 'groomed and protected' it, the study said. Researchers also saw the larvae 'retreat into ant colonies when threatened.'
Adult curiously isolated hairstreaks live for about two weeks and were seen 'sunning themselves' and mating, the study said.
Researchers said they named the new species after the Latin words for 'curious' and 'alone or isolated' 'due to its disjunct and unusual distribution.'
So far, curiously isolated hairstreaks have only been found at Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta and near the border with Montana. Based on its limited distribution area and small population, researchers considered the new species to be endangered.
'For now, the curiously isolated hairstreak reminds us that even the smallest and most overlooked species can hold extraordinary scientific and conservation significance,' the researchers said in a news release from Pensoft Publishers.
The new species was identified by its DNA, lifestyle and habitat, the study said.
The research team included Zachary MacDonald, Julian Dupuis, James Glasier, Robert Sissons, Axel Moehrenschlager, H. Bradley Shaffer and Felix Sperling.
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