Specimen of latest bee species, Leioproctus zephyr. Credit: Curtin University
A brand new native bee species with a dog-like “snout” has been found within the Perth bushland of Western Australia. It was recognized by Curtin University-led analysis that sheds new mild on our most necessary pollinators.
Dr. Kit Prendergast, from the Curtin School of Molecular and Life Sciences, named the brand new species after her pet canine Zephyr after noticing a protruding a part of the insect’s face appeared just like a canine’s snout. The identify additionally acknowledges the function her canine performed in offering emotional assist throughout her PhD. Dr. Prendergast is the creator of a paper on the invention that was revealed on October 31 within the Journal of Hymenoptera Research.
According to Dr. Prendergast, the uncommon and memorable discovering would add to current information about our evolving biodiversity. It would additionally make sure the bees, named Leioproctus zephyr, had been protected by conservation efforts.
“When I first examined the specimens that I collected during my PhD surveys discovering the biodiversity of native bees in urbanized regions of the southwest WA biodiversity hotspot, I was instantly intrigued by the bee’s very unusual face,” Dr. Prendergast mentioned.
Specimen of latest bee species, Leioproctus zephyr. Credit: Curtin University
“When I went to identify it, I found it matched no described species, and I was sure that if it was a known species, it would be quite easy to identify given how unusual it was in appearance.
“You can only confirm a particular species once you look at them under a microscope and go through the long process of trying to match their characteristics against other identified species, then going through museum collections.
“When perusing the WA Museum’s Entomology collection, I discovered that a few specimens of Leioproctus zephyrus had first been collected in 1979, but it had never been scientifically described.”
Dr. Prendergast mentioned she was excited to play a job in making this species recognized and formally naming them.
“Insects in general are so diverse and so important, yet we don’t have scientific descriptions or names for so many of them,” Dr. Prendergast mentioned.
“The Leioproctus zephyr has a highly restricted distribution, only occurring in seven locations across the southwest WA to date, and have not been collected from their original location. They were entirely absent from residential gardens and only present at five urban bushland remnants that I surveyed, where they foraged on two plant species of Jacksonia.
“Not only is this species fussy, they also have a clypeus that looks like a snout. Hence, I named them after my dog Zephyr. She has been so important to my mental health and well-being during the challenging period of doing a PhD and beyond.”
Dr. Prendergast was in a position to verify that the brand new species was most intently associated to different species of unidentified Leioproctus by DNA barcoding.
Reference: “Leioproctus zephyr Prendergast (Hymenoptera, Colletidae, Leioproctus), an oligoletic new bee species with a distinctive clypeus” by Kit S. Prendergast, 31 October 2022, Journal of Hymenoptera Research.
DOI: 10.3897/jhr.93.85685
