Experts celebrate as trail camera captures rare footage of elusive species not seen in decades: 'Such a large and striking animal'
A researcher has made history after securing the first-ever scientific observation of an animal that had eluded scientists for decades.
During a six-month expedition on the island of Papua New Guinea, František Vejmělka, a doctoral candidate from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the University of South Bohemia, spotted the Mallomys istapantap, also known as the subalpine woolly rat.
As IFL Science noted, Vejmělka documented the sighting in a study published in the journal Mammalia
According to New Atlas, the woolly rat is one of the largest murine rodents in the world, and the study said it is the largest rodent of the Australian and Oceanian zoogeographic regions.
Murine rodents are a large group of "Old World" rats and mice that comprises over 500 species, per Animal Diversity Web. As one of the largest murine rodents, the woolly rat had never been scientifically discovered in the wild since the species was first described in 1989 using a historic specimen from a museum.
Vejmělka utilized camera traps and help from indigenous hunters to obtain the rare footage of the woolly rat.
"The combination of modern and traditional detection methods enriched by the immense traditional hunting knowledge of Indigenous communities resulted in the first specimen records of this remarkable rodent in over 30 years and the first scientific observations of living animals," the study read, per IFL Science.
In a statement, Vejmělka acknowledged the significance of the discovery and the importance of research ventures.
"It's astonishing that such a large and striking animal has remained so poorly studied," Vejmělka said. "How much more is there to discover about the biodiversity of tropical mountains?"
Thanks to trail cameras, many research expeditions can obtain vital information that not only captures rare sightings but also helps gauge the health and function of secluded ecosystems and habitats. This can go a long way in studying delicate food chains without interfering or interacting with nearby wildlife.
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Geek Girl Authority
15 hours ago
- Geek Girl Authority
RESIDENT ALIEN Recap: (S04E03) Ties That Bind
Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 3, 'Ties That Bind,' sees Harry and D'arcy travel back in time to retrieve a special device. It's also McCallister's swan song — I assume. The outing wraps up McCallister's overarching narrative and gives her closure. It's a touching meditation on nurturing and healing your inner child. Beyond that, Kate remembers D'arcy being on the Greys' Moon base, Heather kills the Mantid (RIP) and Harry learns he has more kids. (Time to work more hours at the clinic.) It's a solid episode, although Mike's change of heart regarding aliens will take time to get used to. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Resident Alien episode, 'The Lonely Man' Resident Alien, 'Ties That Bind' We open in a time long past, with an Indigenous woman telling her daughter about the Star People. The girl marvels at a painted handprint on the rock wall. Kayla (Sarah Podemski) provides narration. She reads to Daisy, Ben and Kate's baby, from a comic book titled Sky . The handprint from the rock wall in the past is emblazoned across the painting behind Kayla. Next, Dale (Linden Porco) returns to help Harry (Alan Tudyk) open a time travel portal. Well, he came at D'arcy's (Alice Wetterlund) behest, not Harry's. Dale carries a torch for the Red Menace. He's not moving as quickly as Harry would like. Our resident alien plans to travel back to the '70s to retrieve the alien tech that General McCallister (Linda Hamilton) found at the end of last week's episode. Harry hopes to trade it with the Greys for his alien energy. Asta's Appendage D'arcy wants to accompany Harry and Asta (Sara Tomko) on this time travel excursion, but Asta puts her foot down. That is, until Harry selects D'arcy to join him over Asta. D'arcy isn't afraid to die, and Harry can hide behind her if things get too scary. RELATED: TV Review: Resident Alien Season 4 Meanwhile, Sahar (Gracelyn Awad Rinke) presents her (presumably patent pending) Manticide Spray to the Alien Tracker Club. Max (Judah Prehn) arrives fashionably late. He isn't a fan of Sahar, who's technically the secretary, starting the meeting without him, the president. Oh, and she told the group about the Mantid. Max tries to rally the crew to take down the Mantid with him; however, they all like their heads. Better to keep them than allow the Mantid to munch on them for lunch. At the same time, Judy (Jenna Lamia) is being interviewed for a news segment after a headless man (courtesy of the Mantid) was discovered at her motel. D'arcy watches Judy while counting out change in The 59. Asta tries to persuade D'arcy not to go with Harry through the time travel portal. However, D'arcy's made up her mind. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Funeral Song Later, Harry and D'arcy arrive in the '70s. Unfortunately, they're dressed a little too period-accurate, so they change clothes. They find their way to the beach, where Harry retraces the night McCallister's father spotted the alien ship. He at least has an idea of where the alien tech landed. During all this, he serenades D'arcy with an homage to a fallen comrade. It's a series of squeals and screeches. Well, it's quite pretty if you know the language. RELATED: 10 Out-of-This-World Predictions for Resident Alien Season 4 While on the beach, our duo runs into McCallister, who's chatting with her father. Howard (Michael Adamthwaite). McCallister excuses herself, telling her dad, who doesn't know he's talking to his adult daughter from the future, that she's gonna catch up with her friends. Harry demands that McCallister give him the alien tech. She refuses, claiming it's for her father. She heads out for her shift at the Lobster Shack. Harry observes as she conceals the alien tech in her purse. Meanwhile, in the present, Kate (Meredith Garretson) informs Ben (Levi Fiehler) that she had her tracking chip — courtesy of the Greys — removed. Now that they know their daughter is on Earth, she's okay with relinquishing the chip. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Meredith Garretson as Kate Hawthorne, Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) I Believe in Aliens Ben insists they bring Liv (Elizabeth Bowen) into the fold. He knows she believes in aliens. Kate doesn't like this idea. After all, Liv will pass this on to Mike (Corey Reynolds), who unequivocally doesn't believe in aliens. Just kidding — he does! Mike shares his theory with Liv that Joseph is behind all the headless bodies. Liv is ecstatic. Her boss is finally Team Alien. Don't make a big deal out of it, though, deputy. RELATED: All Is Not Well in Patience in Resident Alien Season 4 Trailer Later, Kayla sits with Daisy while listening to Kate's voicemail. She notices how Daisy reacts to Kate's voice. Then, she shows the baby girl a photo of Kate. Daisy squeals with glee. Hmm. Kayla visits Asta at the clinic. She demands to know if Daisy is Ben and Kate's baby. After Kayla stares into Asta's soul, Asta discloses the truth — all of it. She cracks under the pressure. Tomko is so funny in this scene. Kayla's now up to date on all the alien weirdness. She even clocks Harry as an alien. To be fair, if anyone would be an extraterrestrial, it would be Harry Vanderspeigle. Kayla and Asta share a lovely family moment. It warms the cold cockles of my blackened heart. Lobsters and Diarrhea Next, in the '70s, Harry and D'arcy decide to eat at the Lobster Shack during McCallister's shift. D'arcy is taken aback by how inexpensive everything is. A lobster dinner for three bucks? Sign me up. D'arcy heads to the bathroom to pee out of her butt. However, this is merely a cover to search for the alien tech among McCallister's belongings. RELATED: New TV Shows This Week (June 15 – 21) McCallister sits with Harry. She explains that she wants to give the tech to her dad as proof that aliens are real. In one hour, government agents will speak with her father about what he saw. They'll denigrate his testimony and make him feel small. With the tech, this gives him enough ammo to prove he's telling the truth. Harry offers to kill the agents instead, but McCallister insists they'll simply send more. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Linda Hamilton as General Eleanor McCallister — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Then, McCallister leaves to help a customer. D'arcy returns to the table, revealing that the employees' bags are mostly full of cigarettes. The pair decides to check out McCallister's vehicle. D'arcy distracts Harry, though, so she can do it herself. You snooze, you lose. Shiny In the present, Lena (Nicola Correia-Damude) introduces Jules Gardner (Jewel Staite) to the group at the sheriff's office. Hey, we've got a mini Firefly reunion. Shiny. Here's hoping Staite shares a scene with Tudyk at some point. Jules attended school with Liv and Ben. Lena brought her into the fold because this headless bodies mystery is broaching serial killer territory. It's all hands on deck. RELATED: The Premise and How Star Trek Fans Created Fanfic as We Know It Meanwhile, at the comic book store, Sahar learns that Bridget is scared of cartoon vampires. Fair enough. Max watches them from afar, an idea brewing in his noggin. In the 1970s, an officer catches D'arcy trying to pry open McCallister's car. She flirts her way out of trouble, even laying on thick the vernacular of the time period for good measure. Oh, and her name is Meredith Grey. Did D'arcy just introduce Grey's Anatomy 35 years before its debut? Anyway, she finds Harry sitting in the driver's seat, the alien tech in hand. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson, Nicola Correia-Damude as Detective Lena Torres, Jewel Staite as Jules Gardner — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Then, Sahar notices Bridget is missing from her bag. Uh-oh. Elsewhere, Mike hosts a defense class at the sheriff's office. Ben chats with Liv as the townsfolk demonstrate their physical prowess. He tries to subtly ask Liv about the investigation into Joseph. He inadvertently hints at aliens abducting Kate. Triggers Suddenly, Kate recalls a memory from her time on the Greys' Moon base. It triggers her. She starts punching the pad in Mike's hands. Realizing she's been triggered, Ben pulls her into an embrace. Kate tearfully tells Ben she's starting to remember. Liv observes this interaction from afar. RELATED: Read our SurrealEstate recaps Sahar tracks Asta down at the clinic, informing her that Max stole Bridget in a bid to take out the Mantid for good. They frantically head toward the woods. Meanwhile, Harry and D'arcy are about to enter the portal to return to their time. Harry realizes he's holding a rock, not the alien tech. McCallister tricked them. Speaking of, McCallister sits with her dad after his meeting with the agents. He's discouraged. She reassures him of her unwavering belief in him. In fact, she saw the ship, too. Then, McCallister shows her father the alien tech. He's incredulous. How is this related to the ship? He tries to explain it away as something more reasonable. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson, Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Take Care of Yourself Later, Mike witnesses the Mantid go to town on a poor deer in the woods while Liv squats behind a tree to urinate. After he leaves, Mike explains what he saw to Liv, who clocks the creature as a Mantid. She's envious. Why is everyone seeing aliens but her? RELATED: Revival : Check Out 9 First-Look Photos From Melanie Scrofano-Led Series Harry and D'arcy run into McCallister near her dad's lighthouse. She admits she failed. Now, her father's going to die regardless. She decides to stay in the 1970s because her younger self will need someone to take care of her. D'arcy advises McCallister to give her younger self the chance to step up to the plate. Perhaps little McCallister can make her father feel better. McCallister gives Harry the alien tech. Side note: Hamilton delivers a beautiful performance here. After D'arcy and Harry head back to the time travel portal, McCallister chats with her younger self, remarking that A Wrinkle in Time was her favorite book as a kid. Well, considering this book was released around 10ish years prior, I'm surprised little McCallister didn't question this. I Saw It, Too Anyway, McCallister tells her younger self that she, too, saw the alien ship. And she knows little McCallister bore witness to its passing as well. There are photos to prove it. She urges her baby self to reassure her father — tell him that she saw it all. That encouragement will help him immensely. Little McCallister corroborates her dad's story. They embrace. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Asta Twelvetrees Later, in the present, the Mantid (voiced by Clancy Brown) picks up Max and threatens him. Thankfully, before our favorite alien tracker becomes headless, Heather (Edi Patterson), in her Blue Avian form, attacks the Mantid. Sahar and Asta stumble upon the scene, watching in disgust as Heather tears the Mantid to shreds. At the portal, D'arcy confronts Harry about something she learned from McCallister — that Harry knows the Greys will destroy his homeworld. That's what they'll do when he gives them the alien tech in exchange for his alien energy. And Harry seems perfectly fine with eradicating his race. He would be the only one left. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Alice Wetterlund as D'Arcy Bloom — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Forgiveness and Secret Kids So, with D'arcy watching, Harry tosses the alien tech into the ocean. He's going to find another way to retrieve what was taken from him. At the diner, McCallister's words ring in D'arcy's ears. McCallister is trying to heal her inner child and forgive her younger self for her mistakes. D'arcy could stand to forgive herself, too. Instead, D'arcy pours alcohol into her coffee and takes a sip. RELATED: Read our Resident Alien recaps Kate and Ben head into said diner. Kate experiences a flashback from the Greys' Moon base. She realizes D'arcy was there. Uh-oh. Kate storms out. Meanwhile, Harry tries to reckon with being human, which includes his lactose intolerance. Heather winds up on his doorstep with a host of babies in a basket. As it turns out, Harry is a daddy … again. Resident Alien drops new episodes every Friday at 11 pm ET on Syfy and USA Network. Syfy Renews THE ARK for Season 3 Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
3 days ago
This Australian moth uses the stars as a compass to travel hundreds of miles
NEW YORK -- An Australian moth follows the stars during its yearly migration, using the night sky as a guiding compass, according to a new study. When temperatures heat up, nocturnal Bogong moths fly about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) to cool down in caves by the Australian Alps. They later return home to breed and die. Birds routinely navigate by starlight, but the moths are the first known invertebrates, or creatures without a backbone, to find their way across such long distances using the stars. Scientists have long wondered how the moths travel to a place they've never been. A previous study hinted that Earth's magnetic field might help steer them in the right direction, along with some kind of visual landmark as a guide. Since stars appear in predictable patterns each night, scientists suspected they might help lead the way. They placed moths in a flight simulator that mimicked the night sky above them and blocked out the Earth's magnetic field, noting where they flew. Then they scrambled the stars and saw how the moths reacted. When the stars were as they should be, the moths flapped in the right direction. But when the stars were in random places, the moths were disoriented. Their brain cells also got excited in response to specific orientations of the night sky. The findings were published Wednesday in the journal Nature. It 'was a very clean, impressive demonstration that the moths really are using a view of the night sky to guide their movements,' said Kenneth Lohmann, who studies animal navigation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was not involved with the new research. Researchers don't know what features of the night sky the moths use to find their way. It could be a stripe of light from the Milky Way, a colorful nebula or something else entirely. Whatever it is, the insects seem to rely on that along with Earth's magnetic field to make their journey. Other animals harness the stars as a guide. Birds take celestial cues as they soar through the skies and dung beetles roll their remains short distances while using the Milky Way to stay on course. It's an impressive feat for Bogong moths whose brains are smaller than size of a grain of rice to rely on the night sky for their odyssey, said study author David Dreyer with Lund University in Sweden. 'It's remarkable that an animal with such a tiny brain can actually do this,' Dreyer said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
This Australian moth uses the stars as a compass to travel hundreds of miles
NEW YORK (AP) — An Australian moth follows the stars during its yearly migration, using the night sky as a guiding compass, according to a new study. When temperatures heat up, nocturnal Bogong moths fly about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) to cool down in caves by the Australian Alps. They later return home to breed and die. Birds routinely navigate by starlight, but the moths are the first known invertebrates, or creatures without a backbone, to find their way across such long distances using the stars. Scientists have long wondered how the moths travel to a place they've never been. A previous study hinted that Earth's magnetic field might help steer them in the right direction, along with some kind of visual landmark as a guide. Since stars appear in predictable patterns each night, scientists suspected they might help lead the way. They placed moths in a flight simulator that mimicked the night sky above them and blocked out the Earth's magnetic field, noting where they flew. Then they scrambled the stars and saw how the moths reacted. When the stars were as they should be, the moths flapped in the right direction. But when the stars were in random places, the moths were disoriented. Their brain cells also got excited in response to specific orientations of the night sky. The findings were published Wednesday in the journal Nature. It 'was a very clean, impressive demonstration that the moths really are using a view of the night sky to guide their movements,' said Kenneth Lohmann, who studies animal navigation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was not involved with the new research. Researchers don't know what features of the night sky the moths use to find their way. It could be a stripe of light from the Milky Way, a colorful nebula or something else entirely. Whatever it is, the insects seem to rely on that along with Earth's magnetic field to make their journey. Other animals harness the stars as a guide. Birds take celestial cues as they soar through the skies and dung beetles roll their remains short distances while using the Milky Way to stay on course. It's an impressive feat for Bogong moths whose brains are smaller than size of a grain of rice to rely on the night sky for their odyssey, said study author David Dreyer with Lund University in Sweden. 'It's remarkable that an animal with such a tiny brain can actually do this,' Dreyer said. ___
