Latest news with #E.insularis
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
'Lost' grasshopper species rediscovered in the wild after 43 years
It was a discovery no one expected—not on a casual night hike, and certainly not after nearly three decades of silence from a species declared extinct. But in 2023, deep in the misty highlands of São Nicolau in Cape Verde, a lost insect made an extraordinary comeback. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Monte Gordo grasshopper (Eyprepocprifas insularis), last seen alive in 1980 and officially declared extinct in 1996, has been found once again—alive and leaping. Dutch biologists Rob Felix and Annelies Jacobs were on a holiday field trip to Cape Verde when their flashlight caught something unexpected: a grasshopper perched calmly on a mountain path. 'On our first evening, we were heading toward a seabird colony when I noticed it sitting on the trail,' Felix recounted. 'Under the torchlight, its features stood out immediately. I shouted, 'It's Eyprepocprifas!'—and somehow, I was right.' In the days that followed, the team found more specimens—males, females, and even nymphs—on the upper slopes of Monte Gordo, a rugged peak that dominates São Nicolau Island. A living fossil on the edge This rediscovered grasshopper isn't just rare—it's one of a kind. Eyprepocprifas insularis is the only short-winged grasshopper species endemic to Cape Verde, and it appears to have undergone minimal evolutionary change for millions of years. Scientists describe it as a 'living fossil', a biological relic from an ancient time. 'E. insularis must have been there for a very long time and has been able to withstand the severe ecological conditions,' noted the study authors in their 2023 findings. Its thick exoskeleton may be an evolutionary response to Cape Verde's harsh drought cycles and high-altitude microclimates, helping reduce water loss and survive in extreme environments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Where it lives: Monte Gordo Natural Park The grasshopper was found exclusively within Monte Gordo Natural Park, a protected highland area on São Nicolau. The species appears to live between 650 and 1,100 meters (2,130 to 3,610 feet) above sea level, favoring northeast-facing slopes—moist, fog-covered zones that receive more humidity than the surrounding arid landscape. This specific habitat—rocky ground, native shrubs like Euphorbia tuckeyana, and scattered fog-fed vegetation—provides the conditions necessary for the insect's survival. However, the area has been altered in the past, with non-native trees such as pine, cypress, and eucalyptus planted across parts of the park. These changes have fragmented the natural vegetation, but pockets of native plant life remain, allowing this rare insect to cling to existence. Tiny territory, big risk Despite the thrilling rediscovery, E. insularis is far from safe. The grasshopper was found only in a very small area—about 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles)—all within the northern section of the park. Because of this incredibly limited range and the ongoing risk of habitat loss, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now classifies the species as 'Vulnerable.' That status could easily shift to endangered if environmental pressures increase. Behavior and ecology still unfolding Though research is just beginning, early observations show that E. insularis is a powerful jumper, using strong hind legs to leap long distances when startled. The adults are often found sitting quietly on bare ground or rocks, while the nymphs—still largely a mystery—were observed clinging to Asteriscus smithii, a plant native to the region. This could hint at a host-plant relationship that scientists have yet to fully explore. Interestingly, the insect appears to be active both during the day and at night, which may be another adaptation to its unique climate niche.
Miami Herald
29-04-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Elusive creature — declared extinct decades ago — now rediscovered in Cape Verde
In 1980, researcher Michel Lecoq discovered a new species of grasshopper on Cape Verde's São Nicolau island in Monte Gordo Natural Park. He found a single male specimen, and despite years of searching the archipelago, he never found another. After 1982, Lecoq declared Eyprepocprifas insularis, also known as the Monte Gordo grasshopper, extinct, according to a study published April 24 in the Journal of Orthoptera Research. Nearly 40 years later, in 2023, two researchers rediscovered the species in Monte Gordo Natural Park — the same park where Lecoq discovered it decades earlier, according to the study. They also made the first record of a female of the species, which can be up to twice as large as the males, researchers said. The grasshoppers were found high in the mountains, all at elevations above 2,130 feet, according to the study. The Monte Gordo grasshopper is brachypterous, the study said, which means it has small, reduced wings. These types of wings are often unable to sustain flight, according to experts. Its 'very long hind legs' allow it to jump 'exceptionally far,' researchers said. Researchers said the species is found only on São Nicolau island, which was created by a volcano and is believed to be about 5 million years old, according to the study. The Monte Gordo grasshopper, which researchers call a 'living fossil,' is 'not closely related to known African counterparts,' suggesting the species has evolved in isolation on the island for a long time. Researchers were surprised to discover that the species has an 'extraordinarily thick' exoskeleton. 'Mounting specimens of E. insularis proved quite challenging due to the remarkable difficulty of piercing them with a pin. Surprisingly, an exceptional amount of force was required,' researchers said in the study. The reinforced exoskeleton may be an evolutionary adaption to the island's arid climate where years can pass between rainfall, possibly protecting the grasshopper from excessive water loss or providing enhanced resilience to environmental stress. Researchers recommend the species be designated with vulnerable status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. The research team included Rob Felix, Annelies Jacobs and Lecoq.
