Chemnitz scientists discover new species of butterfly
Chemnitz biologists from the Museum of Natural History have discovered a species of butterfly that was previously completely unknown to science. By naming it, they are honouring a well-known Chemnitz artist.
"Hilmar's stonecrop" - this is the most accurate translation of the Latinised scientific species name, Gnophopsodos hilmari. The previously unknown butterfly species from the group of moth-like moths was named after Hilmar Messenbrink, the Chemnitz artist, mime artist and founder of the well-known shadow-mask-mime-music theatre Anasages.
The butterfly, which lives and adapts to rocks, was found in collection material from Central Asia, but related species are also found here. The team led by biologist Sven Erlacher from the Chemnitz Natural History Museum has now published a corresponding scientific study in Zootaxa, a leading international journal for zoology.
"Discovering a new animal species is always a great moment in science," says Sven Erlacher. "By naming the zoo, we want to honour an artist whose performances are great moments for us in the cultural landscape of Chemnitz."
By discovering new animal species and giving them a globally unique name, the zoologists are making an important contribution to biodiversity research and the preservation of biological diversity. "You can only protect what you know," says Sven Erlacher. "Nevertheless, the clock is ticking and many thousands of species will be extinct before we are able to discover them." Natural history museums are the archives of species. This is where they are collected, organised and scientifically analysed. This includes the development of identification keys, distribution maps and illustrations. The biologist's desk is piled high with at least 20 other unknown butterfly species that need to be scientifically named and described.
Naming new species after artists is also the theme of the new special exhibition at the Museum für Naturkunde, which will be on display from 12 November 2016: "Rock Fossils - Yes it's love!". Here, scientists dedicate the species they have discovered to their favourite rock star. There are apparently a lot of researchers in palaeontology who not only love fossils, but also indulge in rock music with the same passion. Now this hitherto hidden love affair of natural scientists is being revealed. The special exhibition presents numerous fossil species (including dinosaurs) bearing the names of bands or singers from the rock scene. Each of the rock legends is portrayed in words and pictures. For example, AC/DC, Lemmy from Motörhead, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols have taken their place in the history of the earth.
Link to the original publication (in English)
For further information please contact:
Sven Erlacher, Museum of Natural History Chemnitz
Phone: 0371 4884553
E-mail: erlacher(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de
Hilmar Messenbrink, Anasages
Phone: 0371 307971
E-mail: kontakt(at)anasages-theater.de
www.anasages-theater.de