In a world where biodiversity is rapidly declining, a researcher from the University of Alberta has stumbled upon a remarkable discovery in the dense forests of the Philippines.
Two species of weevils, one new and another believed to be extinct, have been found thriving amidst the lush greenery.
This discovery not only underscores nature's tenacity but also offers valuable insights into how species adapt and survive against all odds.
A Remarkable Discovery of Lost and New Species(Photo : PATRICK PLEUL/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)
The weevils, named Metapocyrtus (Trachycyrtus) augustanae, are likened to finding a dodo bird - an extinct species that once roamed our planet. These creatures have managed to survive despite significant human-made disruptions and environmental changes.
The researcher, Tom Terzin, a biology professor at Augustana Campus, identified these creatures while sifting through beetle samples that had been collected from bushes in Northern Negros National Park on Negros Island in 2016 and 2017.
Located in the central Philippines, the tropical island's virgin forest had been almost completely wiped out by logging, agriculture and population growth by the end of the 20th century.
As part of a larger project to find out how insect life had fared, Terzin, whose undergraduate research lab studies color patterns and mimicry in insects -when one species imitates another-noticed a short-nosed weevil that stood out not for its pattern, but for its plainness.
The black bug, about half a centimeter long, didn't have the metallic sheen of its relatives, but a scattering of light scales across its surface that didn't form a pattern.
Terzin described the new specimen as "a bit strange, some sort of rebel in refusing to mimic the species". He named it Metapocyrtus (Trachycyrtus) augustanae, after Augustana Campus, and was excited about the implication of its discovery.
He explained that it could mean there was "a redirection of the habits of these species, evolutionarily speaking", and that being only known from a single specimen, for now, indicated it was "probably a rare species".
Terzin's findings, published in Topola, are heralded as an "encouraging sign" for wildlife recovery amidst human disruption. He emphasizes nature's incredible resilience when given an opportunity.
This discovery is more than just unearthing lost species; it's a testament to nature's indomitable spirit. It serves as both a warning and an inspiration underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts while highlighting nature's ability to rebound with vigor if given half a chance.
Terzin was even more enthused about rediscovering another short-nosed weevil, known as Metapocyrtus (Orthocyrtus) bifoveatus, that was last sighted on the island 100 years ago.
Known to live only in the rainforest's lowlands, which were wiped out by deforestation, the colorful insect was thought to be extinct, but this sample was found in a much higher forested area of the island.
Terzin compared the rediscovery to "finding a dodo bird". He said that it showed that some species could survive in very different habitats than they were originally adapted to.
Terzin hopes that his discovery will spark more interest and research on the biodiversity of the Philippines, which is one of the world's hotspots for endemic species - those that are found nowhere else.
He also hopes that his discovery will inspire people to appreciate and protect the beauty and diversity of nature, especially in the face of climate change and other threats.
He said that "nature is amazing, and we should do everything we can to preserve it". He added that "we never know what secrets and surprises it may hold."