Scientist identifies a new insect species during a university-organized excursion to Uganda
Scientist identifies a new insect species during a university-organized excursion to Uganda
Phlogis kibalensis is the name of the tiny cicada discovered in Kibale National Park in western Uganda by Dr. Alvin Helden, an ecologist expert in animal and environmental biology at Anglia Ruskin University.
The lecturer was in the middle of a hike with a team of researchers in the nature reserve, which he has been studying since 2015, when he spotted a completely unique insect, never seen before, belonging to the genus Phlogis. It's about a 6,55 mm long metal color buzzer which was given the scientific name of Phlogis kibalensis in honor of the park where this new species was found.
We know nothing about Phlogis kibalensis, what it feeds on and what its role is in the ecosystem. Leafhoppers of this genus have a very unusual appearance and are incredibly rare.
explained Dr. Helden. Indeed the last sighting of an insect belonging to the same genus dates back to 1969 and also in another state, the Central African Republic, which is why the ecologist considers this an exceptional discovery as well as an incomparable satisfaction after all the studies conducted on the Kibale National Park and its extraordinary biodiversity.
Exciting discovery: an ARU scientist has found an incredibly rare insect!
Dr Alvin Helden found a new species of leafhopper, which he has named Phlogis kibalensis.
It belongs to a group of insects so rare that its closest relative was last seen in 1969!https://t.co/AnWfAXidEQ pic.twitter.com/c1iJAzO5YP
- ARU (@AngliaRuskin) January 28, 2022
Source: Zootaxa
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