VANCOUVER — A newly discovered cave-dwelling species of insect found in British Columbia could be a survivor from the last ice age, scientists say. Haplocampa wagnelli, the arthropod found in a limestone cave near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, is about three to four millimetres long, with six legs, no eyes, and a whitish, almost transparent colour. Alberto Sendra, lead author of a study published in the journal Subterranean Biology on Tuesday, said the little bug’s existence opens up possibilities of how species survive in different climates and conditions. The study said Vancouver Island has more mapped and explored caves than the rest of Canada combined, and many contain unique features, including streams and rivers running through them most of the year. Some of the caves have been misused and more needs to be done to protect them and the unique wildlife they support, researchers said.

Source: National Post February 09, 2019 23:48 UTC