Thursday, May 30, 2013

Extinct Cockroach Bears Resemblance to a Jawa


Arizona State University scientists of the International Institute for Species Exploration recently released their annual list of  Top 10 New Species 2013 discovered in 2012, and among the group is a luminescent South American cockroach whose otherworldliness is less hyperbole and actually quite specific. The glowing roach is a spitting image of a Jawa, a fictional creature from the Star Wars science fiction media franchise (as if you didn't know what a Jawa was).

But in the time since the species was discovered and its existence formally published last July, the Tatooine twin may have actually become extinct. In 2010 after a volcano in Ecuador erupted, which served as L. luckae's only known habitat, no specimens have been found.

Lucihormetica luckae is a species of giant cockroach (Blaberidae). It's back carapace features two large and one small spots or divots inhabited by bacteria that glow when exposed to fluorescent light. The evolutionary purpose of this bioluminescence may be to mimic the appearance of the toxic click beetle (Pyrophorus) that emits light at the same wavelength, most likely making it the first known species to use bioluminescence for defensive mimicry.

Sources : http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/extinct-cockroach-bears-uncanny-resemblance-to-jawa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucihormetica_luckae

https://asunews.asu.edu/20130523_top10newspecies2013
 

 L. luckae's back carapace features two large and one small spots inhabited by bacteria that glow when exposed to fluorescent light.

Tropical Luminous Click Beetle Pyrophorus Species Showing Bioluminescence

There are some reporting a Resemblance to the Eve character of the Wall-E movie!


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