WITHDRAWN: Genome Report: Long read, high-coverage reference genomes of the Nymphalid butterflies Catonephele acontius and C. numilia (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae)

This manuscript has been withdrawn because the *Catonephele numilia* specimen was misidentified as *Catonephele acontius*, rendering the reported *C. numilia* genome data invalid while the *C. acontius* data remains unaffected.

The Gist

Imagine a team of scientists who set out to write two separate instruction manuals for two different species of butterflies. They wanted to create high-quality, detailed "blueprints" (genomes) for:

1. Butterfly A (Catonephele acontius)
2. Butterfly B (Catonephele numilia)

They spent a lot of time and effort sequencing the DNA, thinking they had successfully captured the unique genetic code for both distinct species.

The Plot Twist
However, in February 2026, the authors discovered a case of mistaken identity. It turns out that the butterfly they thought was Butterfly B was actually just another Butterfly A.

Think of it like this: Imagine you were trying to write a biography for your twin brother and your cousin. You gathered all the photos and stories, but then you realized that the "cousin" you were writing about was actually just your twin brother in a different outfit. You didn't have two different stories; you had two versions of the same story.

The Consequence
Because of this mix-up, the part of the paper that claimed to describe the unique genome of Catonephele numilia is now invalid. It's like trying to publish a map of a new island, only to realize the island you mapped is actually just a duplicate of the one you already knew.

The Decision
Since the core goal of the paper was to compare these two different butterflies, and one of them doesn't exist in the way they thought, the authors have decided to retract (take back) the entire paper.

• The Good News: The data for the first butterfly (Catonephele acontius) is still accurate and valid. It's like having a perfect photo of your twin brother; that part is still true.
• The Bad News: Because the comparison is broken, the whole report is being pulled from the record. The authors are asking everyone to stop citing this paper as a reference for the project, effectively saying, "Please don't use this as a source of truth anymore."

In short: The scientists found a mistake in their "cast of characters," realized their main conclusion was based on a false premise, and are voluntarily deleting the report to ensure no one else gets confused by the error.

Technical Summary

Based on the text provided, here is a detailed technical summary of the manuscript. It is important to note that this document is a retraction notice rather than a standard research article reporting successful findings. Consequently, the "results" and "significance" sections reflect the invalidation of the original work rather than scientific discoveries.

1. Problem

The original manuscript aimed to present high-coverage, long-read reference genomes for two distinct species of Nymphalid butterflies within the subfamily Biblidinae: Catonephele acontius and Catonephele numilia. The core problem identified post-publication (in February 2026) was a critical taxonomic misidentification. The specimen originally labeled and sequenced as Catonephele numilia was discovered to be, in fact, a second specimen of Catonephele acontius. This error fundamentally compromised the comparative genomic analysis intended between the two species.

2. Methodology

• Original Approach: The authors utilized long-read sequencing technologies to generate high-coverage reference genomes for the two butterfly species.
• Retraction Investigation: The retraction was triggered by a re-evaluation of the specimen identity in February 2026. The authors determined that the C. numilia sample was misidentified.
• Data Status:
  • The genomic data generated for Catonephele acontius remains valid and accurate.
  • The genomic data generated for the misidentified C. numilia specimen is now recognized as a second C. acontius genome, rendering the specific claims regarding C. numilia invalid.

3. Key Contributions

• Scientific Integrity: The primary contribution of this document is the formal correction of the scientific record. By retracting the article, the authors prevent the propagation of erroneous genomic data regarding Catonephele numilia.
• Transparency: The authors explicitly state that the loss of confidence in the results applies specifically to the C. numilia data, while affirming the validity of the C. acontius data.
• Community Guidance: The authors explicitly request that the work not be cited as a reference for the project, ensuring that future research does not rely on the flawed comparative conclusions.

4. Results

• Outcome: The manuscript has been withdrawn/retracted.
• Data Validity:
  • Invalid: All data, analysis, and conclusions specifically describing the Catonephele numilia genome are declared invalid.
  • Valid: The data describing the Catonephele acontius genome remains valid.
• Consensus: All authors (Marcus Hicks, Tan Nhat Pham, Océane Seudre, Zunilda Escalante, Lucy S. Knowles, Geoffrey Gallice, and Vicencio Oostra) agree with the retraction.

5. Significance

• Prevention of Misinformation: This retraction is significant because it halts the potential citation of incorrect genomic references for Catonephele numilia, which could have led to flawed evolutionary or ecological studies.
• Taxonomic Caution: It highlights the critical importance of rigorous specimen verification in genomic studies, particularly when dealing with morphologically similar species or when working with museum specimens where identification errors can occur.
• Resource Management: While the C. numilia genome is lost, the confirmed C. acontius data remains a valid resource for the scientific community, provided it is cited with the understanding that the comparative aspect with C. numilia is no longer supported by this publication.

Conclusion:
This document serves as a formal notice that the research article titled "Genome Report: Long read, high-coverage reference genomes of the Nymphalid butterflies Catonephele acontius and Catonephele numilia" is retracted due to specimen misidentification. The study's comparative genomic conclusions are invalid, and the authors advise against citing this work.