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Scientists surveying an endangered wild flower in Australia discover a unique creature in its place – a new bee species They decided to name it “Lucifer” because of its little devil-like “horns”.
Bee, Megachile Lucifer, was discovered in Western AustraliaWhen scientists were surveying critically endangered goldfields wild flowers Which grows only in the Bremer Range area between the towns of Norseman and Hyden. The researchers observed that the bees were visiting both the endangered wild flower and a nearby mallee tree.
They say the bee’s unusual horned face inspired its name. lucifer , Hinting towards his demonic form.
“The female had these incredible little horns on her face. I was watching the Netflix show while writing the description of the new species lucifer At that time, and the name fit perfectly. “I’m also a big fan of the Netflix character Lucifer, so it was an easy task,” said Kit Prendergast, a bee ecologist at Curtin University.
“Unlike most sex-specific weapons or ornamentation in animals, these horns are found only in females,” the scientists wrote in the study.
This discovery highlights the importance of understanding native BEES Before their habitats are disturbed.
“Many mining companies still do not survey for native bees, so we may be missing undiscovered species, including species that play a vital role in supporting threatened plants and ecosystems,” Dr Prendergast said.
“Because the new species was found in the same small area as the endangered wild flower, both may be threatened by habitat disturbance and other threatening processes such as climate change,” said Dr. Prendergast, author of the study published in. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, Said.
DNA analysis confirmed that the sample did not match any known bee in DNA databases or museum collections.
Dr Prendergast said, “This is the first new member of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years, which really shows how much life we still have to find – including in areas at risk of mining, such as the goldfields.”
“Without knowing which native bees exist and which plants they depend on, we risk losing both before we even realize they are there,” she explained.
The discovery comes amid Australia’s annual celebration of the vital role of bees, butterflies and other insects in maintaining healthy ecosystems and food production.
“This species’ limited known distribution and short activity season, as well as its association with critically endangered plant species in an area subject to mining, suggest that it may be a species of conservation concern,” the researchers wrote.
Lucifer is an American fantasy horror television series revolving around Lucifer Morningstar, or Satan, who leaves hell to run a nightclub in Los Angeles. It is based on the DC Comics character of the same name created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith and Mike Dringenberg.