Scientists discover a hairy fly - ‘Mormotomyia Hirsuta’ in Kenya
December 9th, 2010 - 9:35 pm ICT by Aishwarya BhattNairobi, Dec 9 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Scientists have discovered a very weird insect in Kenya, which is known by its scientific name of Mormotomyia Hirsuta. Even though the insect is barely 1 cm in length yet it is extremely hairy, to say the least.
The very first specimen of this insect was discovered by scientists more than half a century ago, in 1948. After that discovery, there have been numerous scientific expeditions in search of the elusive fly but they have all been unsuccessful. However recently the scientists had a stroke of good luck when they spotted the insect, which was living atop a 20 meters high rock in Kenya.
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology had carried out the expedition and the hairy fly was discovered by Dr Robert Copeland and Dr Ashley Kirk-Spriggs.
“The rediscovery of the species, which has been collected on only two occasions before, in 1933 and 1948, has caused excitement in insect museums world-wide,” according to a statement by the team.
“We have collected fresh specimens for molecular analysis to see where exactly the Terrible Hairy Fly fits into the evolutionary process. The fly has no obvious adaptations for clinging onto other animals for transfer from one place to another,” according to Robert Copeland.
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Tags: adaptations, animals, ashley, discovery, dr robert, excitement, expeditions, fly, good luck, half a century, insect physiology, kenya nairobi, museums, rediscovery, robert copeland, scientists, specimen, specimens, stroke, two occasions