The Eyeless Martialis Heureka Ant
Marissa Brassfield — September 16, 2008 — Science
References: sciencenews.org
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have found a bizarre ant in Brazil that doesn't look like any other existing ant species. Its proposed name, Martialis heureka, refers to its odd appearance--this ant looks like it came from another planet.
Martialis heureka has a pale body and no eyes, with long mouthparts that stick out like forceps. Its DNA is so far from other species as to warrant its own subfamily, Martialinae. This is the first time a new ant subfamily has been created since 1923.
Rabeling and his colleagues will publish their findings on Martialis heureka in an upcoming Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Martialis heureka has a pale body and no eyes, with long mouthparts that stick out like forceps. Its DNA is so far from other species as to warrant its own subfamily, Martialinae. This is the first time a new ant subfamily has been created since 1923.
Rabeling and his colleagues will publish their findings on Martialis heureka in an upcoming Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Trend Themes
1. New Species Discovery - Researchers have found a bizarre ant in Brazil that doesn't look like any other existing ant species, providing disruptive innovation opportunities in the field of environmental conservation and biotech.
2. Genetic Research - The DNA of Martialis heureka is so far from other species as to warrant its own subfamily, creating opportunities for additional genetic research on this and other species.
3. Taxonomy Classification - Creation of a new ant subfamily, Martialinae, for Martialis heureka provides disruptive innovation opportunities in the field of taxonomy classification, particularly for new or unique species.
Industry Implications
1. Environmental Conservation - The discovery of a new ant species could lead to development of new conservation strategies or technologies for preservation of unique or endangered species.
2. Biotechnology - Study of the unique genetics of Martialis heureka could lead to new biotech opportunities in fields such as medicine, agriculture, or bioengineering.
3. Academia - Creation of a new ant subfamily provides opportunities for academic research, collaboration, and classification in fields such as zoology, taxonomy, and genetics.
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