A total of 33 previously unknown ant species have been discovered in Central America and the Caribbean. They are nearly all blind, live in foliage and rotten trunks in rainforests, and are quite small, each less than 2 millimeters in length. This is what emerges from a recent research by entomologist Jack Longino, professor of Biology at the University of Utah, published in the journal Zootaxa.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
A total of 33 previously unknown ant species have been discovered in Central America and in the Caribbean. They are nearly all blind, live in foliage and rotten trunks in rainforests, and are quite small, each less than 2 millimeters in length. This is what emerges from a recent research by entomologist Jack Longino, professor of Biology at the University of Utah, published in the Zootaxa magazine.
About a third of the names of the unpublished mini-insects discovered are dedicated to demons and gods of the ancient Maya. "The new species have mostly been found in the small patches of forest that remain in a predominantly agricultural landscape, underscoring the importance of forest conservation efforts in Central America," he said Longinus.
These voracious mini-creatures play, in fact, vital roles within ecosystems, such as thesoil aeration and plant pollination. If seen under a microscope, however, they can seem like a “real nightmare”, added Longinus: “their muzzles are broad shields, their eyes reduced to tiny dots and their ferocious jaws full of sharp teeth. They look a little like the monster from 'Alien ".
One of the species found, the Eurhopalothrix Zipacna, takes its name from the evil demon-crocodile of the Maya, and is found in Guatemala and Honduras. Another, nicknamed Eurhopalothrix Xibalba, or "Place of fear", refers to the Maya underworld; this ant is found in Costa Rica and Honduras.
Whether they look like cute monsters or cute insects, they are now also one of the approximately 15.000 species of ants around the world recorded so far. But there could be at least 100.000 in total, the researcher concludes.
Roberta Ragni
Photo Credit: John T. Longino, University of Utah
