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Researchers Rediscovered An Endemic Locust On The Island Of São Nicolau After Decades Without Records, Confirming Survival Of The Species And Reinforcing The Need For Local Environmental Protection
The reappearance of a small insect on an African island surprised the scientific and environmental community. A locust that had not been seen for decades was found again in Cape Verde, contradicting the classification of extinction attributed in the last century.
The insect was unexpectedly located during a night hike in a mountainous area, showing that species considered lost can still survive in isolated and little-explored environments.
Endemic Locust Lives Only On An Island In Cape Verde
The Eyprepocprifas insularis is a short-winged locust that exists only on the island of São Nicolau, in the Cape Verde archipelago. It is an endemic species, meaning it does not occur in any other region of the planet.
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Its natural habitat is concentrated in the elevated areas of the Monte Gordo Natural Park, a volcanic environment marked by dry climate, strong winds, and long periods of drought.
Species Was Known By Only One Specimen
For many years, scientific knowledge about this locust was limited to a single specimen collected in 1980. This record served as the basis for the official description of the species.
After this initial collection, no other expedition managed to locate new individuals, leading to a long period without information about its survival.
Classification As Extinct Occurred In 1996
With the total absence of new records for more than a decade, specialists concluded in 1996 that the species should be considered extinct from a scientific perspective.
This classification remained valid for years, while other environmental priorities received greater attention in research and conservation policies.
Informal Search Led To Rediscovery In 2020
During a trip to the island of São Nicolau, two researchers decided to search for the so-called ghost locust in areas where it might still exist.
According to news.mongabay, an environmental news portal with international scientific coverage, the rediscovery occurred unexpectedly during a night hike, when one of the researchers spotted the insect motionless under the light of a flashlight.
More Than One Specimen Confirmed Active Population
After the first sighting, other individuals were found in the following days, both within the Monte Gordo Natural Park and in nearby areas of the island.
These observations indicated that the species maintains a small but active population, ruling out the possibility of it being a single isolated survivor.
Rediscovery Makes Species An Environmental Priority
Despite the good news, the locust remains highly vulnerable. Its extremely restricted distribution makes it sensitive to changes in land use, the advancement of invasive species, and local climate variations.
The confirmation that the species still exists reinforces the importance of ongoing monitoring and conservation actions in the protected areas of the island.
The case shows that the absence of records does not always mean definitive disappearance. In isolated environments like oceanic islands, biodiversity can persist for decades away from the eyes of science.
The rediscovery also highlights the role of protected areas in preserving unique species, which often are only recognized when they are already on the brink of real disappearance.
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