[ad_1]
Scientists on Wednesday announced the discovery of a new species of bat in Africa that exhibits a striking mix of fiery orange and black colors, according to reports.
The new Halloween-colored bat, Myotis nimbaensis, was discovered after scientists embarked on an expedition in 2018 to investigate the habitat of an endangered species of bat in the country West Africa that is Guinea, reported The New York Times.
“It was sort of a life goal in a way, a goal that I never thought would come true,” said Dr Jon Flanders, director of endangered species interventions at Bat Conservation International, a Austin, Texas based nonprofit organization. “Each species is important, but you are drawn to interesting species, and this one is truly spectacular.”
MANATEE WITH “ TRUMP ” SCRAWED ON HIS REAR SPARKS EXPERT WILDLIFE EXPERTS
However, it took about two years to determine that Myotis nimbaensis was a new species. (The bat is named after the Nimba Mountains of Guinea where it was discovered.) Confirmation and details of the find were published Wednesday in the journal American Museum Novitates.
“When I first saw it, I thought it was a common species,” said Dr Eric Bakwo Fils, a bat expert at the University of Maroua in Cameroon, according to the newspaper.
Scientists said they found the pumpkin orange bat mixed with the usual brown bat in their trap, originally believing it to be just an oddly colored bat.
Dr Flanders and Dr Bakwo Fils spent the night trying to solve the mystery.
“The next morning I met Eric, and almost at the same time we said, ‘This is a new species,’” Dr Flanders said.
NEW DETAILS REVEALED ON MEGALODON’S SHOCKING SIZE: THEY EAT THEIR SIBLINGS IN THE WOMAN
Experts say about 20 new species of bats are discovered each year, according to the Washington Post. However, none generally have the striking look of the Myotis nimbaensis.
“The color is just phenomenal,” Flanders told the newspaper. “Its wings are black with those orange fingers. There aren’t many orange bats in the world. I don’t tend to work with that many brightly colored bats. It’s definitely unusual for me.”
After their discovery, the researchers – through genetic analysis – determined that Myotis nimbaensis was at least five percent different from its closest relatives.
The next step is to learn more about the ecology of the species, so they can determine how best to protect it, Flanders said, according to the New York Times. Dr Bakwo Fils added that he hopes the unique discovery and the buzz surrounding it will serve as a catalyst to help better protect the area’s bats.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“This discovery is very important in terms of biodiversity of bats in West Africa, because even if bats are a very important component of our ecosystems, they rarely receive attention,” he said. declared.
[ad_2]
Source link