A new species of beetle found in South America has been named after the famous Carlsberg beer – after researchers discovered its penis resembled a bottle opener.
In addition, a real bottle opener modeled after genitals will soon be available for purchase.
A team from the University of Copenhagen discovered Loncovilius carlsbergi among five other new insect species.
In a press release announcing the find, the university said: ‘Penis are more common in some areas than others.’ And for researchers studying insect biodiversity, penises play an important role in their daily workload for good reason.
The reason for this is the fact that insect genitalia are often the easiest way to identify new or different species.
“Genitals are the organs of insects that develop differently in each species,” says Dr. Aslak Kappel Hansen from the Natural History Museum of Denmark.
“That’s why they’re often the best way to identify a species.” That’s why entomologists like us always quickly examine insect genitalia when describing a species. The unique shape of each species’ sexual organs ensures that they can only reproduce with the same species.”
By studying beetle specimens hidden for decades in the Natural History Museum of Denmark and other insect collections around the world, Dr. Hansen and his colleagues discovered six new species of the ground beetle genus Loncovilius, but one immediately stood out.
“This species is characterized, among other things, by the fact that the male’s sexual organ looks remarkably like a bottle opener,” says Dr. Hansen. “That’s why we thought it was logical to dedicate this type to the Carlsberg Foundation, which has generously supported independent research for many years.
“Your support of various projects, expeditions or the purchase of scientific instruments from the Natural History Museum of Denmark contributes to the discovery of new species on our planet.”
While the team had a lot of fun naming the little brown beetle, there’s a more serious message behind the find.
“It is estimated that up to 85% of all species on Earth are still not officially named and described,” said co-author Dr. Josh Jenkins Shaw.
“Many species become extinct without ever being named or recognized by science and therefore by humanity as a whole.” A taxonomic name is important because conservation depends on knowledge of species in specific areas.
“Without such a description, species are often ignored.”
Furthermore, climate change also poses a risk to Loncovilius carlsbergi and insect species around the world.
“Loncovilius populations are likely to change in the coming decades,” says lead author José L. Reyes-Hernández. “Our simulations show that at least three of the Loncovilius species are at risk from the rapidly changing climate.”[will strongly alter] more than half of their habitat by 2060.
“It is important to emphasize that many more species will be affected by this change, but we do not know how, as we only had sufficient data for our analysis for four species.”
Very little is known about the little brown beetle Loncovilius carlsbergi and others of its genus. The 1 cm long beetles, found in Chile and Argentina, are considered very special because they live on flowers, while most predatory ground beetles live on the ground between dead leaves or under bark and on fungi.
“We suspect that they play an important role in the ecosystem,” says Dr. Shaw. “It is therefore worrying that virtually nothing is known about these beetle species, especially because they are so easy to recognize – and some are even very beautiful.”
“Unfortunately, we can easily lose these species before they are ever discovered.”
However, the team hopes that headlines about Loncovilius Carlsbergi and its unusual penis can spark greater interest in beetles.
“It is important that we recognize the enormous wealth of species yet to be studied around us before it is too late,” says Dr Hansen.
“We want people around the world to talk about the crisis facing our planet’s species. A step toward serious learning and awareness can be sparked by light conversation over a beer.”
The research was published in the Zoological Journal.
Source: Metro
Source: Metro
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