A team of scientists in the United Kingdom have discovered a species of insect that is believed to have existed in the Scottish hills during the Ice Age.
Members of the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) found a species of fly known as Okeniella caudate in the Angus portion of the Glen Clova mountain range.
Before the discovery, it was believed that the insect only lived in Scandinavian tundra and high arctic locations. The SNH researchers theorize that the Okeniella caudate fly may also be found in other remote areas in the mountains of Scotland.
Scottish Natural Heritage scientist Iain MacGowan said that it was surprising to locate several specimens of both male and female Okeniella caudate flies at an altitude of more than 850 meters (2,788 feet).
He explained that the insects and their ancient ancestors could have been living in the area since the Ice Age, but that they have remained unknown to researchers in part because of the remoteness of their location as well as the shortness of their lifespan as adult flies.
MacGowan added that the ancient fly species do not face any threat of extinction as of the moment, but if the climate in the area suddenly becomes warmer, the Okeniella caudata flies will be among the first creatures to disappear.
The SNH researchers believe that the Okeniella caudata flies are distantly related to the more common species of yellow dung flies.
The group said that the larvae of the ancient fly species were likely feeding in areas with peaty mud near the burns and upland lochs of the high Cairngorms.
The Cairngorms have also been the location of several other discoveries of relatively rare and undiscovered species of insects. These included the tiny species of springtail known as Bourletiella viridescens.
The Bourletiella viridescens, which measures at less than one millimeter in length, was discovered in the Cairngorms in 2009. It was confirmed to be the first of its kind to be found in the United Kingdom. The small creature was first photographed by Tim Ransom.
This species of springtail was previously reported in literature to be found at two locations in northern England, but no specimens were collected to support this assertion.
