Aliens among us - an encounter with the sixth species
Biologists from the Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz have discovered an insect that has never been found in Europe before - and right in the centre of our city
Who hasn't heard of them, those nippy miniature rockets that hide inconspicuously under bathroom mats and in cracks? We're talking about the little fish. They are small, incredibly fast and especially active at night. Despite this very hidden way of life, they are omnipresent and almost everyone has encountered them at some point. They are wingless, scaled and usually have conspicuously long body appendages. Whether you like them or not, these completely harmless insects can actually be found in almost every home.
There are five species in Germany, including the common silverfish and the ovenfish. With the discovery of a sixth species, affectionately known as the "ghost fish", the team led by biologist Sven Erlacher from the Chemnitz Natural History Museum has now achieved a minor sensation. Ctenolepisma calva, the scientific name of the species, has been found in two places in Chemnitz: in a flat in the Schlosschemnitz district and in the centre on the museum floor in Tietz. Virtually nothing is known about this species. It was first described in 1910 from Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. In the early 1970s, it was found in Central America, where it was one of the most common types of human dwellings, particularly in Havana. The specimens from Chemnitz were identified together with a colleague from the University of Lisbon, who has studied this group of animals intensively for decades. The dainty dwelling ghost is whitish in colour and grows to a maximum length of 8 mm. The long body appendages can break off at the lightest touch.
"Two occurrences in a city like Chemnitz are certainly no coincidence, but an indication that the tropical fish is currently spreading here," says Sven Erlacher from the Museum of Natural History. However, the researcher does not want to speak of an "invasive alien", as too little is known about this species for that. He is therefore turning to all interested "citizen scientists", whose powers of observation are now in demand. "Everyone is called upon to keep an eye out for the new species and, if possible, to take photos with their mobile phone camera and send them to us, as this is the only way we will be able to find out more about this species," says the biologist.
The invasion of new species into Central Europe is also the theme of the new special exhibition at the Museum für Naturkunde, which will be on display from 4 May 2017: "via regia - Road of Species". The exhibition shows the effects of trade and travelling on life along the way.
The ghost fish Ctenolepisma calva from Chemnitz (Photo: Museum für Naturkunde):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/io6gepbuvrwnlbg/Zyg01.jpg
For further information please contact:
City of Chemnitz, Kulturbetrieb
Museum of Natural History Chemnitz
Sven Erlacher
Phone: 0371 488-4553
E-mail: erlacher(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de