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Battered Moth Yields 11 New Species
8 Nov
Summary
- A damaged moth, overlooked for decades, helped identify 11 new species.
- The specimen was collected by Alfred Russel Wallace in Borneo around 1855-1856.
- DNA sequencing and label analysis revived a forgotten moth genus, Topiris.
A battered moth specimen, overlooked for decades in the Natural History Museum's collection, has been instrumental in identifying 11 species previously unknown to science. Collected by Alfred Russel Wallace in Borneo around 1855-1856, its significance was long unrecognized. Modern DNA sequencing and analysis of its original labels, including an abbreviation 'SAR' for Sarawak, revealed its connection to Wallace's expedition.
Scientists Mark Sterling and David Lees examined the snow-white moth collection when the damaged specimen caught their attention. Despite being dismissed by an earlier expert in 1927 as 'better neglected,' its labels hinted at a richer history. This led researchers to compare it with historical records and Wallace's writings, confirming its collection nearly 170 years ago.
Utilizing new DNA sequencing techniques, researchers extracted genetic information from the moth's leg. This data, along with comparisons to recent specimens, allowed them to resurrect the moth genus Topiris. The study, published in ZooKeys, expanded the genus to 14 species, with 11 being newly described.
Among the newly named moths are species inspired by fictional characters and environmental activist Greta Thunberg. This discovery emphasizes the crucial role historical museum collections play in modern scientific research, demonstrating that even damaged specimens can yield vital clues about biodiversity and evolution.
