Decades after a US butterfly species vanished, a close relative is released to fill gap
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — More than 80 years ago, a beautiful butterfly called Xerces Blue that once fluttered among San Francisco’s coastal dunes went extinct as stately homes, museums and parks ate up its habitat, marking the first butterfly species in the United States to disappear due to human development.
But thanks to years of research and modern technology a close relative of the shimmery iridescent butterfly species has been reintroduced to the dunes in Presidio National Park in San Francisco. Dozens of Silvery Blue butterflies — the closest living relatives of the Xerces Blue — were released in the restored habitat last week, officials said Monday.
Scientists with San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences utilized the Academy’s genetic sequencing capabilities and analyzed Xerces Blue specimens in their vast collection to confirm a group of Silvery Blues in Monterey County, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of San Francisco, could successfully fill the ecological gap left by the Xerces Blue.
Related articles
Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Matt Turner and Tim Ream will be given the three weeks ahead2024-05-21Team Penske in spotlight as it prepares run for Indy 500 pole with Larson a serious contender
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — All of the attention ahead of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 is squarely on2024-05-21Chrissy Teigen looks stylish as she shops at Gucci after posing for Sports Illustrated cover
Chrissy Teigen is known for her flawless sense of style.So it's no surprise that the model, 38, was2024-05-21Munich airport closes after climate activists glue selves in protest
BERLIN (AP) — German authorities closed down Munich airport temporarily on Saturday after six climat2024-05-21Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has added a stop in Luxembourg to a trip to Belgium in September, a three-d2024-05-21Verstappen matches Senna's record of 8 straight pole positions
IMOLA, Italy (AP) — On a weekend commemorating Ayrton Senna, Max Verstappen matched the late Brazili2024-05-21
atest comment