Chlosyne taxonomy question

[Kondla, Norbert FOR:EX]

In a recent book I saw a number of high elevation western north american
Chlosyne taxa lumped under one species name, whitneyi, I think. While I
respect the right of any and all to publish and promote their taxonomic
views; I also reserve the right to examine evidence (or lack thereof) for
such views and then come to my own conclusion. So my question is this:
anyone know of a published or unpublished rationale for placing Sierra
Nevada, Rocky Mountain and coastal mountain beasties into one species bag?
Hint: 'Because they look like Chlosyne and live in the mountains' is not
very convincing to me so I am looking for anything with substance. Thx in
advance for any leads.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Norbert Kondla  P.Biol., RPBio.
Forest Ecosystem Specialist, Ministry of Environment
845 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, British Columbia V1N 1H3
Phone 250-365-8610
Mailto:Norbert.Kondla at gems3.gov.bc.ca
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca