Australian scientists have discovered in a remote control Australian tropical jungle, north of QueenslandA new type of giant stick insect baptized as Acophylla Alta. The insect left entomologists surprised by their Impressive size and weightBecause it could be the heaviest stick in the world in the world discovered so far in the country.
A giant, strong and robust stick insect
Acophylla AltaIt weighs about the same as a golf ball and measures 40 centimeters long. Although other stick insects can exceed 60 cm long when stretching the legs, Acophylla Alta It does not stand out for its length, but for its body mass, because it weighs more than 44 grams, an unusual figure for this type of insects, which are generally thin and light as a dry branch.
“This insect is not only brilliant; it is robust, strong and an imposing presence for your group,” said one of the researchers of the Australian team who documented it for the first time.
“Their body mass probably helps them to survive in colder conditions. The large size of the insect could be due to an evolutionary response to “cold and wet” habitat of the Atherton plateau, in northern Australia, “said the Professor Angus Emmott In a press release published by James Cook University.
Extreme camouflage and life on top
Acropylla Alta Giant Stick. Credit: James Cook University.
Faithful to his lineage, Acophylla Alta lives in trees in treesWhere its elongated appearance and coloring allow it to be easily confused between the branches and the leaves. Its name, “High”, refers both to its position in the canopy of trees and its prominent stature.
This discovery does not only contribute a new species in the catalog of stick insectsBut also invites you to think about how little explored Australian tropical ecosystems are still. In addition, their weight and structure could provide clues to the evolution of these insects and their adaptations to the environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzyv1dlGiny
The discovery was published in the magazine Zootaxa.
Fountain: ABC News Australia.
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