False Apollo butterfly split into two species
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Researchers studying the False Apollo butterfly, Archon apollinus, in the Mediterranean region discovered the butterfly actually consists of two distinct species.
The team examined 260 butterfly specimens from collections, noting differences in their appearance, behavior, and genetics. They found populations in western Turkey, Greece, and the Aegean islands differ significantly from those in central Anatolia and the Levant, an area including modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.
Genetic analysis of the butterfly’s DNA, along with observations of larval and pupal forms, confirmed the separation. Butterflies in the Levant exhibit larger, darker markings and a unique winter flight period, while caterpillars have different spotting patterns. Though populations in central Anatolia share genetics with the Levantine species, they resemble the western butterflies in appearance, suggesting a mixing of traits. The researchers propose recognizing the Levantine populations as a new species, Archon bellargus.
They estimate the initial split between the two lineages occurred around 9.5 million years ago, driven by geological and climate changes. They also found evidence of potential hybridization between Archon bellargus and another related species, Archon apollinaris, in Turkey, complicating the evolutionary picture. This discovery emphasizes the importance of combining genetic data with traditional methods when classifying species.
