Revealed: the wasp species impervious to evolution
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Evolution has not altered the fig wasp in 34 million years, scientists have discovered.
Three fossil specimens, the oldest examples of their species known, were found on the Isle of Wight in the 1920s but wrongly labelled as ants.
A new study of the fossils, housed at the Natural History Museum in London, has confirmed they are fig wasps, the modern versions of which pollinate fig trees in the same way they did 34 million years ago, advanced microscopy techniques confirmed.
Dr Steve Compton, from the University of Leeds, who led the research published today in the journal Biology Letters, said: "What makes this fossil fascinating is not just its age, but that it is so similar to the modern species.
"This means that the complex relationship that exists today between the fig wasps and their host trees developed more than 34 million years ago and has remained unchanged since then."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments