Exciting Updates!

Hi Everyone,

As you know, science is a *slow* process. I've been hard at work obtaining specimens for sequencing, and actually doing the DNA preparation. Now, I can share some initial results and the next steps!

 

Some of the *many* specimens being barcoded!

First, I want to thank all of you for backing this project. Without you, I never would've got this far! It is really an honor that you all believe that this project is worthwhile.

 

These tubes contain a leg of the specimen and multiple buffers to extract the DNA!

Let's talk about Results!

• 50 specimens barcoded in early 2023

  • Of these, 9 failed; and 2 were outgroups.

• The remainder were successfully barcoded and assigned a species identifier!

• The results were very interesting, only 3 specimens barcoded were found to be Sphinx gordius, the remainder were Sphinx poecila.

• So far, there aren't morphological differences to distinguish the species. There are not genitalic differences.

Next Steps

1. Barcode more specimens to try and find a higher rate of Sphinx gordius for morphological analysis.

2. Continue morphological analysis of specimens to attempt to discern differences. Possibly enlist the help of an AI.

3. Attempt to rear specimens of each species to document the entire lifecycle and elucidate larval differences in morphology.

4. Create phylogeny of this species complex with related species.