Extinct 'tree lobster' found alive clinging to side of Pacific rock taller tha...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2108736/Extinct-tree-lobs...

How did it get THERE? Tree lobster thought to be extinct for 80 years found alive clinging 500ft up on remote Pacific rock taller than Empire State Building
By Rob Waugh Last updated at 8:49 PM on 1st March 2012

A narrow and forbidding rock that stands higher than the Empire State Building, it does not look like the most welcoming place to set up home. But that did not stop an insect which was thought to be extinct for 80 years from building its last known colony on the 1,844ft high Balls Pyramid. Scientists have discovered 24 of the creatures living 500ft above the South Pacific Ocean around the single plant that had survived on the rock.

Ball's Pyramid, Lord Howe Island: The 'tree lobsters' were found clinging to the side of the tallest sea stack in the world

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Nick Carlile with some of the huge flightless stick insects found on Ball's Pyramid

The tree lobster insect, which is as large as a human hand, had somehow made its camp despite the lack of food and the harsh conditions. Nobody could say how they got there in the first place - but four have now been taken off and have bred thousands more to ensure their species survives. The astonishing discovery was made on Balls Pyramid which emerged from the sea seven million years ago off the coast of Australia near Lord Howe Island. It is the equivalent of 11 Nelsons Columns stuck one on top of the other. The Empire State building is only two thirds as tall at 1,250ft. On all sides the rock face drops off vertically making it almost impossible for anything to survive - but the insects somehow did. The six legged tree lobster or, Dryococelus australis, was actually presumed extinct since none had been seen on Lord Howe Island since 1920. They are 12cm long and are the heaviest flightless stick insect in the world. In 2001 Australian scientists David Priddel and Nicholas Carlile decided to investigate claims by climbers who tackled Balls Pyramid that they had seen fresh droppings there.

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Ball's Pyramid and Lord Howe Island: Scientists had thought that the 'tree lobster' - the largest flightless stick insect in the world - had died out for 80 years

The flightless stick insects had been thought to be extinct for 80 years - but after rumours of new droppings on Ball's Pyramid, the researchers investigated

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Nick Carlile, seen here with the Lord Howe Island stick insect, discovered the thought-to-be extinct phasmid on Ball's Pyramid

They too saw the droppings and upon returning after dark with flashlights were stunned to discover the insect colony around the only plant on the rock. Mr Carlile said: It felt like stepping back into the Jurassic age, when insects ruled the world. It was unclear how they got there but the scientists realised they had to get them into a breeding programme as they were the last of the species alive. The Australian government refused but later allowed four to be taken off, although the drama did not end there. When the researchers went back to get them there had been a rock slide on Balls Pyramid and it was feared the insects had been wiped out. Checks revealed that they had survived however and the four were taken away. Two later died but two have gone on to be the foundation of a breeding programme at Melbourne Zoo. They have been nicknamed Adam and Eve and through them 11,376 babies are now in incubation. Some 700 adults are also in the captive population making it one of the most unlikely and astonishing such success stories. Unusually for insects they pair off with each other and when they sleep at night the male has three of his legs protectively over the female beside him, the researchers said.

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Comments (72)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all re: Sparky, Derby-- I believe that you are thinking of earwigs...... - N. Waters, Ontario, Canada, 02/3/2012 00:49 Click to rate Report abuse I'm surprised the Chinese haven't eaten them all. - Steve Goodwin, Reigate, Mozambique, 02/3/2012 00:14 Click to rate Report abuse At last a story worthy of reporting DM. - jools, melbourne, australia, 02/3/2012 00:02 Click to rate Report abuse I, for one, welcome our new invertebrate overlords. - Brewis, Watford, 01/3/2012 23:45 Click to rate Report abuse They won't be around for much longer, breeding program or not. - maxi, london, 01/3/2012 23:37 Click to rate Rating 23 Rating 61 Rating 51 Rating 31 Rating 1

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Report abuse We should leave nature alone, they have obviously survived without our intervention! - As nature intended..., Manchester, 01/3/2012 23:35 Click to rate Report abuse I swear I've seen these in my neighbour hood as a child, LOADS OF THEM infact, they stick up their back end almost to a curl, to try to protect them selves, but only.... smaller ? i can't see any other differance, unless i'm thinking of somthing else. but i really am convinced i've seen these before, in the summer. - Sparky, Derby, 01/3/2012 23:28 Click to rate Report abuse Yech!! Glad they're on an isolated island beyond the back of beyond, than in the yard eyeing my house! Imagine treading on one of those charmers in the middle of the night!! - N. Waters, Ontario, Canada, 01/3/2012 23:27 Click to rate Report abuse I always knew lobsters were closely related to the cockroach. Now their closest relative is instead this stick bug the land lobster. Sweet. But that guy in the photo whew buddy.. Holy Unibrow much? Post your address we will mail you a clipper and some Nair or something. - george milton, dallas, USA, 01/3/2012 23:08 Click to rate Report abuse Great news but it is very old news, this species was found on Balls Pyramid in 2001....... - Alan Hendy, Exeter UK, 01/3/2012 22:57 Click to rate Report abuse The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Headlines Most Read How did it get THERE? Tree lobster thought to be extinct for 80 years found alive clinging 500ft up on remote Pacific rock taller than Empire State Building 'Your desktop is dead': Rave reactions as Microsoft offers free trial of Windows 8 and revs up to battle Apple and Google Unfair and unwise': Google brings in new privacy policy today for two billion users - despite EU concerns it may be illegal Prepare to throw away those old plastic dinosaurs : Triceratops wasn't one dinosaur - it was TWO separate species Neanderthals beat modern humans to the seas by 50,000 years, say scientists We're not so smart after all, say scientists after making 'human brain soup - we only have the same number of neurons as baboons Stolen Nasa laptop 'contained the codes to control the International Space Station' The laws of physics cannae take it, Captain! Star Trek's 'warp drive' would BLOW UP any solar system the Enterprise arrived at, warn physicists 'A revolution in photography': New 300 camera lets you focus AFTER taking the photograph Rating 37 Rating 14 Rating 12 Rating 11 Rating (0)

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