Researchers from Guangdong's Sun Yat-sen University have discovered a new species of insect—Cybister (Melanectes) danxiaensis Jiang et al (丹霞真龙虱).
The new species was found in and named after the Mount Danxia, a world-famous geopark and a Natural World Heritage Site in Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province.
Jia Fenglong, a professor from the Sun Yat-sen University, and his research team were the discoverers of the new species. In 2021, the team found a unique specimen when sorting out insect specimens which were collected in 1941 and stored in the Mount Danxia National Nature Reserve Administration.
After further comparing the shape of the male external genitalia, researchers confirmed that the specimen is a new species. They named it danxiaensis and published it on March 18.
The Cybister (Melanectes) danxiaensis Jiang et al. (Photo: Nanfang Plus)
The trails of the new insect are elusive. Given that there is only one specimen of it collected 80 years ago, Jia Fenglong speculated that the local population is very likely to have become extinct. But it is not ruled out that there are also undiscovered populations of the insect, he added.
Jia considered an enormous gap in the research of biological characteristics, such as habitat, habit and life history of the new species, still exists. And further research needs to wait for the rediscovery of this species in the future.
At present, the Mount Danxia National Nature Reserve Administration has organized surveys on the new insect to find its new populations and preserve them well.
Professor Jia Fenglong is collecting insect specimens from Mount Danxia. (Photo: Nanfang Plus)
Most cybisters live in mountain streams and feed on small fish, shrimps and aquatic insects. (Photo: Nanfang Plus)
Since 2008, the School of Life Sciences and the School of Ecology of Sun Yat-sen University have visitied Mount Danxia to explore insect resources dozens of times. Thus far a total of eight new species have been discovered in the mountain.
The two other newly discovered species are Ecpyrrhorrhoe (细突野螟) and Platynectes maizuqii Jiang, Zhao, Jia & ŠŤASTNÝ (麦祖齐短胸龙虱).
The Ecpyrrhorrhoe. (Photo: Nanfang Plus)
The Platynectes maizuqii Jiang, Zhao, Jia & ŠŤASTNÝ. (Photo: Nanfang Plus)
As of March 2023, 39 new species, including 21 plants, 11 animals, and seven fungi, have been discovered in the Mount Danxia.
Author: Ariel
Editor: Olivia, Monica, Jerry
