‘Peculiar’ winged creature found on island mountain turns out to be hairy new species
A researcher was trekking through forest covering a mountain in China when he spotted a dark brown, winged creature. He captured the specimen, and after examining it, realized it was a “peculiar” creature.
The researcher, Zhe Liu, was searching for butterflies belonging to the “large” Celaenorrhinus genus on Mount Wuzhi, the highest mountain on Hainan Island, according to a study published Jan. 30 in the journal Zootaxa.
After looking at the “unusual” specimen’s wings and genitalia, Liu and his co-authors, Hua-Zhao Li and Jia-Ling Li, realized it was actually a new species: Celaenorrhinus qianhanae.
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The new species was identified by its “remarkable” genetic distance from other species, its genitalia and its wing markings, scientists said.
Researchers said the new species’ dark brown wings are marked with small white spots. The top of its forewing is marked by white, translucent spots. The underside of its forewing is similar, but it has “extra fuzzy pale areas.”
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The butterfly has “dense,” yellow hairs covering the base of its hindwing. On the top center of its hindwing, it has “a series of sparse orange markings.” The underside of its hindwing has “prominent” markings with “additional spots.”
The creature was also distinguished by its genitalia, including its “robust” penis that is “curved downwards,” scientists said. Other genital organs were described as “fan-shaped.”
Celaenorrhinus qianhanae is named after Liu’s daughter, according to the study. The species is only known from Hainan Island, where it was found at an elevation of about 2,620 feet.
Hainan Island is south of mainland China.
This story was originally published January 30, 2024 at 2:55 PM with the headline "‘Peculiar’ winged creature found on island mountain turns out to be hairy new species."
