Scientists Discovered "Voldemort" Lurking in the Australian Depths
New Ant Species Looks Spookily Similar to Voldemort!
Imagine this: you're drilling deep beneath the scorching Australian outback, searching for creatures that live in the darkness. Suddenly, you come across a tiny, pale insect with a slender body and creepy crawly features. It's enough to make you think you've stumbled into the world of Harry Potter!
Well, that's exactly what happened to a team of scientists in Pilbara, Australia. They discovered a new species of ant living a quarter of a kilometre underground, and its appearance is eerily similar to a certain He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Voldemort: A New Member of the Leptanilla Family
Source: ZooKeys
Dr Mark Wong and Jane McRae led the expedition, and after analysing their tiny catch, they revealed the exciting news: a new member of the Leptanilla ant family. But this wasn't just any ant. Due to its ghostly white body and slender build, the researchers decided to christen it with a rather fitting name – Leptanilla Voldemort.
Just like the infamous villain, L. Voldemort is a predator, lurking in the darkness with its spindly legs and powerful jaws. This minuscule menace, measuring just two millimetres long, is believed to be a formidable hunter, taking down prey like centipedes, beetles, and flies.
A Rare Find
Source: ZooKeys
With over 14,000 known ant species on Earth, the Leptanilla family is a rather exclusive club. Only around 60 species belong to this group, which makes L. Voldemort a valuable addition to the scientific community. This discovery sheds light on the fascinating diversity of life that lives in the hidden depths of our planet.
Voldemort's Worldwide Appeal
Even though Voldemort is a villain in the Harry Potter series, he has many fans worldwide. Fans love Voldemort fandom products, especially The Voldemort Wand. In House of Spells, the Harry Potter Shop London, most fans purchase Voldemort's fandom products. This reflects how a character's influence extends beyond the pages of a book or scenes in a movie.
The Naming
The name choice might seem a bit whimsical, but there's a scientific purpose behind it. Often, scientists name new species after their physical characteristics or the location where they were found. In this case, L. Voldemort's name perfectly captures its pale, slender appearance, making it easier for researchers to identify and discuss this unique ant.
