A collaborative international study, leveraging both historical specimens and modern genetic sequencing, has identified nine previously unknown butterfly species hiding in plain sight within museum collections. The discovery underscores the critical, yet often overlooked, value of natural history archives for biodiversity research.
The Power of “Ancient DNA”
For decades, entomologists have relied on visual characteristics to classify butterflies. However, subtle differences can easily be missed, especially among closely related species. The breakthrough came from combining century-old butterfly samples with cutting-edge DNA sequencing. Researchers from the AMISTAD project, led by London’s Natural History Museum, extracted genetic material—even from fragments like a single butterfly leg over 100 years old—to resolve taxonomic confusion.
“By comparing modern DNA with ancient DNA from historical specimens, we can resolve long confused and unnoticed species and uncover greater biodiversity than previously known.” – Christophe Faynel, Entomologist.
This approach revealed nine distinct species within the Thereus genus of South American butterflies, a group found in the neotropics. The findings were recently published in the journal Zootaxa.
Why This Matters Now
The timing of this discovery isn’t accidental. South America’s tropical forests, the natural habitat of these butterflies, are undergoing rapid deforestation. Identifying these species now is critical because some may already be extinct or on the brink of it. Researchers prioritized the Thereus genus due to its vulnerability, ensuring conservation efforts can target at-risk populations.
The newly named species include Thereus cacao, T. ramirezi, and T. confusus, with names reflecting both geographic origins and the taxonomic challenges overcome.
Museums as “Irreplaceable Archives”
The study highlights the untapped potential within natural history collections. The Natural History Museum in London alone holds five million butterfly specimens, some dating back to the 1600s. These archives are not just relics of the past; they are living libraries of biodiversity.
“Some newly identified species were collected a century ago in habitats that might no longer exist, putting at risk the existence of these species and highlighting the urgency of this work.” – Blanca Huertas, Principal Curator of Butterflies.
The findings demonstrate that even after centuries, museum collections remain a vital resource for understanding, and conserving, Earth’s rapidly changing ecosystems.
Ultimately, this research is a stark reminder that the planet’s biodiversity is far richer—and more fragile—than previously imagined.
