#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Members of the Russian Geographical Society, exploring the territories in the south of the Krasnoyarsk region and the neighboring Republic of Hakassia, recorded over 200 species of butterflies in this region that had not previously been found here.
Representatives of the Russian Geographical Society, in collaboration with entomologists from Altai State University and St. Petersburg specialists from the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, are examining and systematizing the collected material.
They give examples of discoveries that surprised them. This, in particular, is Aspitates mongolicus – a rare moth butterfly for Russia – previously recorded only in the Chita region, but now it has been noticed in Hakassia. Until recently, the angelic hornwort was considered endemic to the Altai and Tuva steppes, but now it has clearly expanded its range.
Entomological scientists and representatives of the Russian Geographical Society intend to continue research into the biodiversity of the Krasnoyarsk region and Hakassia, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reports. It is possible that this will be followed by hypotheses that partly explain the spread of uncharacteristic insects in Eastern Siberia and, perhaps, refer to the notorious climate changes.
“No doubt, these discoveries enrich Russian science”, says Svetlana Borisova, the Russian Geographical Society Minusinsk branch’s head.
We previously reported that during an expedition to study biodiversity, specialists from the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences discovered a previously unknown species of weevil in the Big Norilsk region. In addition, five rare bird species were found in Norilsk.
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Text: Elena Popova, Photo: the author and Nikolay Shchipko
