Phobaeticus chani

Phobaeticus chani
Phobaeticus chani
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Family: Phasmatidae
Subfamily: Clitumninae
Tribe: Pharnaciini
Genus: Phobaeticus
Species: P. chani
Binomial name
Phobaeticus chani
Bragg in Hennemann & Conle, 2008

Phobaeticus chani or Chan's megastick is a species of stick insect. It is the longest insect in the world, with one specimen held in the Natural History Museum in London measuring 567 millimetres (22.3 in).[1] This measurement is however with the front legs fully extended. The body still measures an impressive 357 millimetres (14.1 in).[2]

Named after amateur Malaysian naturalist, Datuk Chan Chew Lun,[3] only six specimens are known, all originating from the state of Sabah in Borneo.[4] Very little is known about its biology, but there is speculation that it lives in the canopy of the rainforest, making it especially hard to find.[4]

Phobaeticus chani was selected as one of "The Top 10 New Species" described in 2008 by the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University and an international committee of taxonomists.[5]

References

  1. ^ "World's longest insect revealed". Natural History Museum. 2008-10-16. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2008/october/worlds-longest-insect-revealed.html. Retrieved 2008-10-16. 
  2. ^ "Revision of Oriental Phasmatodea: The tribe Pharnaciini Günther, 1953, including the description of the world's longest insect, and a survey of the family Phasmatidae Gray, 1835 with keys to the subfamilies and tribes (Phasmatodea: "Anareolatae": Phasmatidae)". Zootaxa (Auckland, New Zealand: Magnolia Press) 1906: 1–316 pp. Oct 2008. ISSN 1175-5326. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/z01906p316f.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-16. 
  3. ^ "World’s longest insect named after KK naturalist". The Star. 2008-10-18. http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/18/nation/2316389&sec=nation. Retrieved 2008-10-18. 
  4. ^ a b David Derbyshire (2008-10-16). "Introducing Chan's megastick: The record-breaking insect as long as your arm". Mail Online. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1078221/Introducing-Chans-megastick-The-record-breaking-insect-long-arm.html. Retrieved 2008-10-16. 
  5. ^ http://asunews.asu.edu/20090522_top10species

External links


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