Giant silverfish discovered in portugal

If you add the long antennae on the head and the end of the abdomen, the little urticator is a proud ten centimeters long, he said. The silverfish, which belong to the wingless insects and are often found in cakes and bathrooms, grow to a length of only seven to ten millimeters.

The previously unknown pigmentless giant silverfish were discovered by biologist ana sofia reboleira in four caves in the tourist region of the algarve and are said to belong to a completely new species and genus. The insects, which bear the scientific name squamatinia algharbica, never come to light and therefore have no eyes. “Outside the hollow they can not survive,” said reboleira. The biologist calls the animals a “biogeographical relic” that “no longer have any family members above the earth’s surface”.

“At some point, they sought refuge under the earth and thus survived several climate epochs,” the 31-year-old researcher adds in explanation. The “common” silverfish feed mainly on flour and sugar, but also eat fabric and paper. It is not yet known what the species that has now been discovered feeds on, but plant cells have been found in the stomach contents, the researcher revealed. Since there is however no light under the earth and consequently also no photosynthesis, these animals had surely only very little food to the verfugung. It can therefore be assumed, says reboleira, that the animal population must be very small.

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