Model on a scale of 50:1
Dimensions:
approx. 54 cm long
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45 cm wide |
25 cm high
Distribution and habitat
The cave beetle, Arctophaenops muellneri, is one of the most rare animals of the Alpine region. It was first discovered as late as 1970.
This beetle of 6 mm belongs to a few surviving species which can be traced back to several glacial epochs ago. The beetle has had an exciting history of development. All together three species of Arctaphaenops are known, which supported by isolation of the Ice Ages have developed in cave systems as relics.
Arctophaenops muellneri is one of them. The beetle lives in inaccessible crevices and caves of the Kalkalpen (Austria).
Lifestyle and special features
This totally blind cave beetle is perfectly adapted to life in eternal darkness.
While eyes and wings regressed, tactual sensation over-developed.
Extraordinary long feelers and some noticeably long tactual bristles characterize the phenotype of this animal.
Cold and humid is the environment of this amber coloured beetle that lost all sun protecting pigments due to its subterranean existence. It is still unknown what this animal feeds on.
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