Biology and adaptation by species is a fascinating science. Individuals of a species over time will find 'niches' to live. The individuals adapt to the niche and survive. Reproduction and genetic adaptation take over and a subspecies or a variety will result.
This ability by nature is most frequently found in insects and plants. Plant species and insects frequently find each other and support an ecosystem. So, it can get very specialized to the extent that survival is LIMITED to a specific ecosystem. While hardy and thriving, if there are changes supporting that ecosystem either one or both die off.
These extinctions are nearly unnoticeable except for scientists involved with the study of the ecosystem. It isn't as though one day everything everywhere changes. That is not the case, but, it is like an epidemic that grows and grows when no one notices and then finally each species of larger order faces there extinction as well.
Zestos
June 10, 2013
Wildlife officials say 2 butterfly species extinct (click here)
By Kelli Kennedy
This ability by nature is most frequently found in insects and plants. Plant species and insects frequently find each other and support an ecosystem. So, it can get very specialized to the extent that survival is LIMITED to a specific ecosystem. While hardy and thriving, if there are changes supporting that ecosystem either one or both die off.
These extinctions are nearly unnoticeable except for scientists involved with the study of the ecosystem. It isn't as though one day everything everywhere changes. That is not the case, but, it is like an epidemic that grows and grows when no one notices and then finally each species of larger order faces there extinction as well.
June 10, 2013
Wildlife officials say 2 butterfly species extinct (click here)
By Kelli Kennedy
MIAMI -- Two butterfly species historically found in South Florida are likely now extinct, U.S. wildlife officials said Monday.
After several years of studying imperiled butterflies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believes the Zestos (Epargyreus zestos oberon) and rockland grass (Hesperia meskei pinocayo) skippers are likely extinct.
The Zestos skipper was last observed at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden on Stock Island in 2004. That butterfly had not been observed on mainland Florida for decades. The rockland grass skipper was last observed at Everglades National Park in 2000, wildlife officials said in a statement.
Rockland Grass Skipper from Big Pine Key Island, Florida
Rockland Grass Skipper from Big Pine Key Island, Florida
The Zestos skipper wasn't considered imperiled globally because it is found throughout the Bahamas and eastern Antilles. It was only recently discovered that the Zestos skipper in Florida was a distinct subspecies, but it was gone before conservationists could protect it.
The rockland grass skipper was also believed extinct in the 1980s until it was briefly rediscovered on Big Pine Key in 1999. But it disappeared again before it could be saved, according to wildlife officials.
Butterfly scientists and activists have done extensive surveys in recent years in public conservation lands throughout South Florida and the Keys to determine the status of imperiled butterflies. Several wildlife groups have united to monitor the federally endangered Schaus swallowtail and Miami blue butterflies in the Florida Keys....
