In recent years, a new butterfly species that is found near Ketchikan, Alaska was identified based on distinct physical variations between similar species in the region. However, some scientists now believe that this "new" species could be the result of genetic mutations, resulting from hybridization between two known butterfly species rather than being a unique or undiscovered lineage. Further ecological and DNA sequence comparisons will be crucial in unraveling the origins of this potentially ancient hybrid in Alaska's butterfly assemblage.