170-year-old moth in museum drawer helps scientists identify 11 new species
AI summary
A 170‑year‑old moth collected by Alfred Russel Wallace was DNA‑sequenced, leading scientists to revive the genus Topiris and describe 11 new species. The find shows museum drawers can still reveal hidden biodiversity.
Key takeaways
- The specimen was collected in Sarawak, Borneo, around 1855‑56 during Wallace’s expedition.
- DNA from a tiny leg fragment allowed researchers to place the moth in the genus Topiris.
- Reviving Topiris expanded it to 14 species, including 11 newly described ones.
- New species were named after Snow White, Cinderella and activist Greta Thunberg.
Read the original at Times of India
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