Contemporary evolution can lead to taxonomic uncertainty, as recent divergence or hybridization can sometimes be indistinguishable. For two species of lycaenid butterflies, intermediates at points of contact have caused recent taxonomic unrest. Lycaena xanthoides (Boisduval) and L. editha (Mead) are considered separate species by some authors, and conspecifics by other authors. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing demonstrates two reciprocally monophyletic groups, corresponding to the two named species. Possible explanations for the existence of the intermediate forms are discussed.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Lycaena xanthoides (Great Copper)
Species 2: Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Lycaena editha (Edith's Copper)
Keywords: hybridization, speciation
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