British swallowtail split from European cousins much earlier than thought, study finds
via theguardian.com
Short excerpt below. Read at the original source.
Finding that Norfolk butterfly has been distinct subspecies for 200,000 years could transform conservation approach The endangered swallowtail butterfly Papilio machaon britannicus, which is only regularly found breeding in Britain on the Norfolk Broads, has been a distinct subspecies for at least 200,000 years, according to a study. Smaller, darker in colour and much rarer […]