Scientists exploring the rainforests of Papua New Guinea came upon an ant that bears a striking resemblance to a dragon.
Scientists exploring the rainforests of Papua New Guinea came upon an ant that bears a striking resemblance to a dragon.
Further study revealed the creature sporting the sizable and unique spines was a previously undocumented species.
As such, the team, which hails from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, needed to give it a name and decided ‘Game of Thrones’ dragon was the most appropriate one.
Though the ants do not actually spit flames, a different sort of superpower has been bestowed upon them.
In documenting their find, the researchers employed micro-CT technology to make a complete virtual 3D version of the insect.
Dr. Georg Fischer, one of the study’s authors, said, “This way you can download the virtual ant…and compare it to the specimen you are trying to identify."
Another researcher commented, “in some ways it is better than the real thing...Because you can virtually dissect the specimen and examine internal structure on your computer."
Scientists exploring the rainforests of Papua New Guinea came upon an ant that bears a striking resemblance to a dragon.
Further study revealed the creature sporting the sizable and unique spines was a previously undocumented species.
As such, the team, which hails from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, needed to give it a name and decided ‘Game of Thrones’ dragon was the most appropriate one.
Though the ants do not actually spit flames, a different sort of superpower has been bestowed upon them.
In documenting their find, the researchers employed micro-CT technology to make a complete virtual 3D version of the insect.
Dr. Georg Fischer, one of the study’s authors, said, “This way you can download the virtual ant…and compare it to the specimen you are trying to identify."
Another researcher commented, “in some ways it is better than the real thing...Because you can virtually dissect the specimen and examine internal structure on your computer."
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