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A staff of scientists has found a brand new species of blue ant within the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, sparking additional curiosity within the distinctive biodiversity of this area of the Himalayas.
This uncommon little ant, referred to as Paraparatrechina neela, is lower than 2 millimeters lengthy and most of its physique is metallic blue apart from its antennae, mandibles and legs. It’s characterised by a triangular head, giant eyes, and a triangular jaw with 5 enamel.
The species is described in a brand new research revealed within the journal ZooKeys. “One night, whereas exploring a tree hole on a steep cattle observe within the distant village of Yenku, we seen one thing glistening within the twilight,” stated researchers from the Ashoka Analysis Basis in Ecology (ATREE), Bengaluru.
Whereas blue is widespread amongst bugs akin to butterflies, beetles, and a few bees and wasps, it’s comparatively uncommon amongst ants.
Researchers say that of the roughly 17,000 identified ant species and varieties all over the world, only some seem blue.
Nanostructures create coloration utilizing their optical properties, slightly than straight from pigments.
Analysis reveals that this area of Arunachal Pradesh presents the world unparalleled range, a lot of which stays to be explored.
