#newdiscoveries

#newdiscoveries

‘Mermaid’ Plant Species Discovered in IndiaBiologists have discovered a new plant species in Andamans, India.Initially found in 2019, it took Indian scientists almost two years to confirm that their discovery was novel. To be exact, experts spent 18 months comparing the new plant’s DNA with existing flora.Scientists from the Central University of Punjab named the new species Acetabularia jalakanyakae. The plant has caps with intricate designs, and according to Dr Felix Bast, it was “as if it were umbrellas of a mermaid." This particular feature led the scientists to name the plant after mermaids, with Jalakanyaka in Sanskrit translating to ‘mermaid’ and ‘a goddess of oceans’.Image credit: Felix Blast #NewDiscoveries #Plants #India #Science #AcetabulariaJalanyakae #MermaidPlant #NewSpecies #mermaid

Ancient Mammoth Weevil Used Huge Beak To Fight A 100-million-year-old weevil fossil has been identified to represent a new tribe, genus, and species. Internationally renowned paleobiologist George Poinar Jr. calls the specimen a ‘mammoth weevil’ because of its huge rostrum or beak. Scientifically called Rhamphophorus legalovii, experts believe that the weevil wielded its trunk against other males over potential mates. With its straight antennae, Rhamphophorus is classified as a primitive weevil. In addition, Poinar placed the creature in the Nemonychidae family, also known as “pine flower weevils.” According to Poinar, “the larvae and adults of many nemonychidae eat pollen from developing male cones of pines and other conifers.” In terms of genus and species, the Rhamphophorus was classified to belong to the  sub-family Cimberidinae, which consists of particularly long-nosed weevils whose physical characteristics are developed like highly specialized tools. Image credit: Oregon State University #Weevil #Fossil #Science #MammothWeevil #NewDiscoveries