Saint Francis' Satyr - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Following its discovery, the St. Francis’ satyr was listed as a subspecies of the Mitchell’s satyr (Neonympha mitchellii) complex. The nominate species is N. m. mitchellii, which is distributed sparsely in the mid- and eastern US, including in Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia, and formerly in New Jersey. Although the Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia populations are morphometrically similar to St. Francis’ satyr, current molecular evidence supports that they are distinct from St. Francis’ satyr, and that St. Francis’ satyr should remain as a separate subspecies from all other populations in the Neonympha complex with potential elevation to full species status pending further analysis.