In the Heart of Biodiversity: The Discovery of Corades Yanacocha in the Andean Chocó Cloud Forest

So, a team of researchers from the Jagiellonian University, the Liebniz Institute for the Analysis for Biodiversity Change, the University of Florida, the University San Francisco de Quito USFQ, and the National Institute of Biodiversity INABIO, led by Tomas Pyrcz, Pierre Boyer and Jean-Claude Petit, discovered a new species of large butterfly in our Yanacocha reserve. They named it Corades yanacocha. This species is distinguished by the presence of a wide, brick-red transverse band on its wings.

The discovery was the result of a collaboration between researchers with decades of experience studying the biology of Ecuadorian butterflies. They used a record made by Abigail del Pozo, a USFQ student, on INaturalist to identify that this was a new species and started studying it in our Yanacocha Reserve.

For the morphological study, genital dissections were performed and the relevant parts were photographed using specialized equipment. The comparative material was sent to important collections in Poland and the United States.

They also did some molecular studies to back up the description of the new species. The researchers have put the resulting sequences in the GenBank database so they'll be there for future reference.

The newly discovered Corades yanachocha has left the scientific community perplexed. It's got a unique look that sets it apart from other species in its genus. It also seems to be found only at high altitudes, with sightings at over 3,500 meters above sea level.

The Corades genus is one of the most well-known and distinctive. These butterflies are easy to spot thanks to their big size, bright colors, and sleek wing shape. Even those who aren't experts on cloud forest species can recognize them. The genus has 22 known species and another five that have been identified but not yet formally described. Ecuador is home to about half of them.

About Yanacocha Reserve

The Yanacocha Reserve is located on the Pichincha volcano and covers more than 2,470 acres (1,000 hectares). It's in the heart of the Andean Chocó, a key biodiversity area (KBA E44), and provides a secure habitat for unique or endangered species of fauna and flora.

Yanacocha's biodiversity is pretty incredible. From the ferns and orchids of the high Andean forest to the extensive paramo adorned with towering Polylepis trees, every corner is a surprise with its natural beauty and its importance to the ecological balance.

The Andean Chocó area is facing serious challenges due to human activity, including deforestation for agriculture and cattle ranching, as well as the expansion of industrial eucalyptus and pine plantations. In the face of these threats, our reserve is a protected area where we work to preserve biodiversity, promote ecotourism, and conduct scientific research.

We also work to protect the western slopes of the Pichincha volcano, which helps to preserve the vegetation cover and natural waterways and prevents landslides that can cause serious damage.

In our reserve, we work to protect the great diversity of wildlife, including the recently discovered Corades yanacocha, and also the Black-breasted puffleg hummingbird, which is endangered and considered the emblematic bird of Quito.

The finding of the Corades yanacocha reminds us of the importance of protecting our natural ecosystems. Every new species that's discovered just goes to show how diverse life on our planet is, and it makes us want to keep researching and conserving this incredible natural wealth.