Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

di0_joestar t1_iqr36v6 wrote

uh... is that really uplifting??

I guess something must be wrong with me

346

Nikami OP t1_iqr4vyr wrote

I guess context helps. For the better part of a century, Lord Howe Island had its unique ecosystem completely wrecked by rats and other invasive species. But now, after many years of hard work to get rid of the invaders and restore nature, a species that was considered lost forever has shown up again (said species also plays an important role in the ecosystem). Of course, this sparks hope that there may be others, too.

283

MINIMAN10001 t1_iquvowo wrote

To me it sounds like a severe invasive species risk for a modern world.

−12

Tobias_Atwood t1_iquvxoh wrote

It's a wood roach. They don't infest homes and skitter all over your shit like the ones you might normally see. These guys just slowly amble about the forest floor underneath leaves eating old vegetation.

17

real-nobody t1_iqtxw67 wrote

Btw, there are over 4000 species of cockroach, and less than 1% are the kind of pests you are probably thinking about. I understand not wanting more of those pets around, but most cockroaches are not that.

11

Bigleftbowski t1_iqu5n84 wrote

I had one with a body at least 5 inches long crawl up my leg in the shower while living in the South Bronx.

9

simbadv t1_iquqmtg wrote

You should delete this comment from upliftingnews. You ruined my night. /s

3

dramignophyte t1_iqva8xk wrote

Palameto bugs is their name. Thry are harmless and cant survive inside. You usually see them as they realize they are going to die of starvation and start running around frantically trying to get out.

1

nightraindream t1_iquxoxu wrote

Can't speak for the Aussies as I'm across the ditch, but our native cockroaches aren't really an issue like the the German or American cockroach.

Out of over 4,600 species of cockroach, only like 30 are known to live in human houses.

7

Ruby_Tuesday80 t1_iqtw21y wrote

It means something will be left after we've rendered the planet unfit for human habitation.

3

PTR_K t1_iqsfg0k wrote

Interesting. Its body plan looks superficially similar to a wood louse (i.e. pill bug/sow bug). Clearly not an isopod if it is a cockroach though.

83

BadgerSilver t1_iqvd8yq wrote

This is called "convergent evolution" where two unrelated species develop to look the same due to similar needs

15

PTR_K t1_iqvdvdl wrote

I'm aware. Just unclear what specific aspects of their existence make this body plan particularly useful to both. Like, termites eat wood and they don't look similarly.

6

your_moms_apron t1_iqrg3vg wrote

That’s cool but stay on the island, please. My swampy hometown already overrun with termites and roaches, I don’t need one that is basically both.

46

AndreLeo t1_iqs1qom wrote

I don’t get these types of comments to be honest. Neither termites nor roaches are inherently bad, in fact only very few species of each are „bad guys“ because we are creating a habitat for them to thrive in. Most species of termites (especially dampwood termites and fungus cultivating ones) are interesting and harmless, the same counts for your average forest roach.

The article gives little information about the invasive potential of these roaches as you have to consider food sources (types of wood, dampness of wood, mechanism of reproduction (parthenogenesis, inbreeding?) and adaptiveness to abiotic and biotic factors like temperature and competition.

Like, I get it „muh termite and roach bad“ but that does not at all represent the reality

−31

DorianSinDeep t1_iqufnil wrote

You don't get it, really? You don't have an inkling that when common people say mites, cockroaches, mosquitoes, termites, etc. that they are only speaking about the particular kind that they encounter in their daily life. I would say I don't get your type of comment but I do, it's pedanticness and a superiority complex.

19

AndreLeo t1_iquk1yl wrote

Geez dude, calm down. „Superiority complex“ yeah no, maybe it’s just that I am fascinated by these critters and I felt like I should add it because many comments here are very black and white. But if it boosts your confidence saying that someone has a superiority complex, go on

−9

DorianSinDeep t1_iquklko wrote

It's only the first and last line of your original comment that I take issue with. Maybe superiority complex is too harsh.

8

AndreLeo t1_iqumyzh wrote

Well that’s fair, can‘t blame you for your opinion here. In this case, thanks for the feedback!

4

Meclizine11 t1_iquawxz wrote

As an entomologist I endorse this comment. I can explain the science behind it, but the downvotes? Not a clue

6

Galgerahn t1_iqskh4x wrote

" All Negative comments will be removed and will possibly result in a ban. "

>Be me

>See 5 negative, and hateful comments in the first 1 minute of scrolling down

>wat.jpg

​

But either way, THIS IS AWESOME! :D

15

Marion_Ravenwood t1_iquxor2 wrote

I hate cockroaches with every fibre of my being, but am aware they are good for the ecosystem and there are thousands of species. So welcome back to the world you disgusting bastard.

13

sluttyjamjams73 t1_iqrmstp wrote

I love how the same people that will cry all day about people not being 'positive in the comment section' on this sub are crying about a miraculous discovery because it's not 'cute enough' or whatever. You people are disgusting.

7

MINIMAN10001 t1_iquvtql wrote

It's because just like the askreddit thread what creature would you want to go extinct. The risks posed by some creatures towards modern human habitation are greater than the ecological benefits.

Anything that eats wood in particular sounds like a prime candidate for "invasive species"

−2

sluttyjamjams73 t1_iqyg0w5 wrote

You have no idea what qualifies an organism as an 'invasive species', most of which are made of... wait for it... WOOD.

1

jonesmatty t1_iqty1iz wrote

Thousands of species go extint everyday and your excited about one that destroys your house?! Two words. Gene drive

−4

sluttyjamjams73 t1_iqu93s8 wrote

Pretty sure we don't have any flightless Lord Howe Island Wood Feeding Cockroaches in Southern Oregon though I thank you for your concern. These types of insects eat wet rotting wood, again, not my house.

Have someone read this to you:

[FTA] They may not be cute and cuddly, but the cockroaches are cornerstones of maintaining a healthy ecosystem on the island, acting as important nutrient recyclers, important in speeding the breakdown of logs and as a food source for other species.

4

real-nobody t1_iqty3aw wrote

Btw, there are over 4000 species of cockroach, and less than 1% are the kind of pests most people are probably thinking about.

5

GATraveller t1_iquuajo wrote

This IS uplifting. What would the world do without more cockroaches!?

4

One_Hand_Smith t1_iqt3p9o wrote

Like a predecessor to termites. For those that don't know termites are cockroaches that pass on protozoa by throwing up in each other's mouths so they can digest wood.

2

AutoModerator t1_iqr2uye wrote

Reminder: this subreddit is meant to be a place free of excessive cynicism, negativity and bitterness. Toxic attitudes are not welcome here.

All Negative comments will be removed and will possibly result in a ban.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

zlimK t1_iqu6crg wrote

hooray..

1

NInjamaster600 t1_iqvcus3 wrote

When the world needed him the most he returned

1

Icy-Veterinarian-785 t1_iqz489o wrote

THESE FUCKERS WON'T DIE LMAO

hey, the fewer non extinct (modern) species the better.

1

Adept_Barracuda_662 t1_iqulyvo wrote

Yay for the environment but I would die go straight to hell if I saw this in person

0

CutieShut-In t1_iqveh9l wrote

Ugh.....just what we need.....surviving cockroach...

0

wuffwuff77 t1_iqrhofv wrote

Why not butterfly or bird or fish? Noooo, had to be a freaking cockroach!!!

−4

TeslaPills t1_iqsvohu wrote

The body is all spikey wtf.. cockroach from hell

−5

RedditIsDogshit1 t1_iqt2b04 wrote

How do we know it was even extinct as opposed to us just being awful at detecting them?

−5

Extra-Process-9394 t1_iqu11d0 wrote

So obviously it wasn't extinct because otherwise it wouldn't exist. But it's not always easy to find a small population of well hidden tiny creatures haha

5

RedditIsDogshit1 t1_iqzpu7e wrote

So then why do we label things as extinct if they’re actually not proven to be so? Sounds there should be two separate terms to distinguish.

1

Extra-Process-9394 t1_ir019r3 wrote

I think they are just "presumed extinct in the wild". There are a lot of species like that and most don't turn up randomly one day but this time we got lucky

1

eliphanta t1_iqt4p73 wrote

How in the hell is a cockroach coming back from extinction uplifting?

−6

Dazd_cnfsd t1_iqty4lm wrote

1st off it’s a cockroach. If anything was going to survive it would be this. 2nd ewwww and finally 4th a potentially disastrous invasive species being rediscovered is not uplifting.

Side note: ewwww was worth 2 points

−7

sluttyjamjams73 t1_iqyglr5 wrote

Why do you think this is a potentially disastrous invasive species?

1

Scryer_of_knowledge t1_iqs9hyj wrote

This is discouraging not uplifting. Last thing we need is for these things to eat wood as well. Hans!

−8

USS_Hornet t1_iqskc5t wrote

This is uplifting? This extinction was not mourned nor was this bug missed. Do you own a house made of wood?

−10

sluttyjamjams73 t1_iqslo6k wrote

They eat dead rotting wood, professor, on a singular island, in Australia. Your shitty house is safe.

12