Turkmen dvukhvostka lured smelly cheese
Scientists have found in the Turkmen cave new species of insects.
Tiny and blind, but unique arthropod found by scientists in the cave of Kaptarkhana in the East of Turkmenistan. This is the first cave insect that is open in this country.
Scientists found in the cave of Kaptarkhana in the East of Turkmenistan previously unknown cave insect. It was the first of its kind in Central Asia and the first cave insects that are open in this country. The new species has been described in the journal Subterranean Biology.
Cave of Kaptarkhana located at the foot of the mountain range called Koytendag, one of the most remarkable mountain landscapes in Central Asia. Bizarre cluster of desert landscapes, ravines, mountain ranges and plains — potential home to many undiscovered species of animals.
In this area there are more than 300 caves, sinkholes and potholes.
Including the new species, dubbed Turkmenocampa mirabilis.
It is tiny, measuring just a few millimeters eyeless arthropods belonging to the order of dvukhvostka.
Dvukhvostka first appeared on Earth over 300 million years ago. This is a small establishment, the last segment of the abdomen which are located a pair of zeroc — appendages resembling antennae setaceous. Despite widespread habitat, in Central Asia dvukhvostka almost unknown.
Turkmenocampa mirabilis belong to the family kamptee — dvukhvostka size of less than 10 mm, with a pale body and is fully absorbed in the head capsule chewing mouthparts. Secondary sex characteristics in a new species virtually absent. The size of the males is 3.2−4.9 mm, female: 3.5 — 6.2 mm. the Head is crowned with antennae, shorter than body length.