How do you find a ‘lost’ species?

Key takeaways

Lost species are those not observed in the wild in the last 10 years, not in captivity, and not declared extinct. They hold ecological significance and represent gaps in our understanding of biodiversity.
Finding lost species involves rigorous detective work, including historical research and field expeditions, with decisions on extinction being a complex, lengthy process.
Community science projects like the Firefly Atlas play a vital role in helping scientists locate and confirm the existence of rare or potentially extinct species.
Fireflies showcase remarkable diversity, with some species being active only briefly or difficult to detect, highlighting the importance of targeted, sustained search efforts.
Participation of the public in reporting sightings and assisting in research can significantly aid in conservation efforts for elusive and endangered species.

Summary

Understanding Lost Species and Their Significance

This section discusses the concept of 'lost' species—those that are not actively observed in the wild within the past decade, are not kept in captivity, and have not been officially declared extinct. Dr. Matt Forrester explains that these species are considered lost to science and highlights their importance both in ecological roles and for the intrinsic value of biodiversity. The discussion emphasizes that the designation of lost species can motivate research efforts and help preserve biological memory, even if their survival is uncertain.

The Science of Finding Lost Species

Here, the focus is on the methods and challenges of locating lost species, including investigating historical records, museum specimens, and conducting field expeditions. Dr. Forrester shares insights into how scientists determine if a species is truly extinct or just undetected. The gray area between extinction and continued existence underpins the urgency and difficulty of conservation work, especially for species with limited known sightings or narrow habitat ranges.

The Role of Public Participation and Citizen Science

This section highlights how community involvement can aid in rediscovering lost species through projects like the Firefly Atlas. Candace Fallon discusses her efforts to confirm the existence of various firefly species, including the rare Nelson's Desert Firefly. Listeners are encouraged to participate by reporting sightings and helping to locate these species, which can be a compelling way for the public to contribute to conservation science.

Incredible Diversity and Adaptations of Fireflies

Candace Fallon also delves into the diversity of fireflies, explaining different types such as daytime fireflies and glowworms, each with unique adaptations for communication and survival. She shares interesting facts, like how some fireflies are active only for brief periods and how certain species have not been seen in decades, emphasizing the urgency of conservation efforts.

Challenges and Rewards of Fieldwork in Species Discovery

Fallon describes the practical realities of fieldwork, including navigating difficult terrains, dealing with insects and plants, and the narrow activity windows of some species. Despite these challenges, the work is described as highly rewarding, with moments of excitement when potential sightings of lost species occur. The importance of patience, timing, and detailed knowledge in these efforts is underscored.

Show notes

The earth is facing a biodiversity crisis, and there’s a lot of attention on species that are threatened, or at risk of dying out completely. But, there’s another critter category that’s a little more mysterious: species that are “lost to science.” This means scientists aren’t quite sure how many of them there are out there—or if there are any left at all.

Producer Kathleen Davis talks to biologist Matt Forister, who is so dedicated to finding more information about these lost species that he created a whole scientific journal about them.

Plus, 28 of the 178 firefly species in the United States and Canada are currently lost to science, according to the community science project Firefly Atlas. We’re joined by firefly researcher Candace Fallon, who is working to confirm which firefly butts are still blinking and which have burnt out.

Want to help find fireflies near you? Find out how to participate in the Firefly Atlas.

Guests:

Dr. Matt Foristor is a professor of biology at the University of Nevada-Reno and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Lost Species.

Candace Fallon is a senior endangered species conservation biologist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.

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