A newly discovered Alaskan butterfly may hold clues to climate change

[unhappycamper]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2016/03/26/newly-discovered-alaskan-butterfly-may-hold-clues-climate-change/PcU5oVDOxW8QzsOxmsLmnI/story.html

A newly discovered Alaskan butterfly may hold clues to climate change
By Elahe Izadi Washington Post March 26, 2016

WASHINGTON — Researchers discovered a possible new butterfly species in Alaska and believe it could tell us more about the pace of climate change.

The Tanana Arctic, or Oeneis tanana, probably evolved from a rare hybrid when two butterfly species mated before the last ice age, according to a study published this month in the Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera.

While the butterfly could help shed light on the North American Arctic’s geological history, it can also serve as a sort of canary in the coal mine when it comes to current and future environmental changes. That’s because butterflies, which are sensitive to climate changes and react rapidly to them, are considered environmental indicators.

‘‘This butterfly has apparently lived in the Tanana River valley for so long that if it ever moves out, we’ll be able to say ‘Wow, there are some changes happening,’ ’’ University of Florida lepidopterist Andrew Warren said in a release. ‘‘This is a region where the permafrost is already melting and the climate is changing.’’