LONDON: 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.
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