Science, Space and Technology News 2024
In Australia’s Pilbara region, a new ant species, Leptanilla voldemort, has been discovered. It is characterized by its pale, slender form and underground habitat, shedding light on the unique biodiversity and ecological mysteries of this ancient landscape. Credit: Mark K. L. Wong, Jane M. McRae
In the sun-baked Pilbara region of northwestern Australia, researchers have discovered a mysterious creature from the shadows – a new antfor short – is a pale ant with a slender build, spindly legs, and long, sharp mandibles. The species name pays homage to the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, the fearsome antagonist of the Harry Potter series, drawing parallels with the ant’s ghostly and slender appearance, and the dark underground environment, from which it has emerged.
Scientists Dr Mark Wong of the University of Western Australia and Jane McRae of Bennelongia Environmental Consultants describe the enigmatic new species in a paper published in the open-access journalwas discovered during an ecological survey to document animals living belowground in the arid Pilbara region of north-western Australia. Only two specimens of the bizarre new ant species were found.
With its formation beginning approximately 3.6 billion years ago, the Pilbara is one of the oldest land surfaces on Earth. Despite the scorching summers and meager rainfall, the region harbors globally important radiations of underground invertebrates. Adding to the unique biodiversity of this ancient landscape, the discovery of the enigmatic antis a testament to the wizardry of nature and the mysteries of life in the depths of darkness.
Reference: “Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov., a gracile new species of the hypogaeic ant genus Leptanilla from the Pilbara, with a key to Australian Leptanilla” by Mark K. L. Wong and Jane M. McRae, 11 April 2024,SciTechDaily: Home of the best science and technology news since 1998. Keep up with the latest scitech news via email or social media.
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