Uncommon Behavior

It’s easy to forget, with how much we think we know about the world, that new species of animals are being discovered and studied, all of the time. Sometimes, the animal lives where few people are present to observe it. Other times, we just haven’t yet looked close enough. And other times, once in a while, an animal might exhibit an uncommon behavior, perhaps something we can’t fail to notice, and we pay attention, and lo and behold, the animal is new to science. In this episode, Derek Sikes, UAMN curator of insects talks about one such new species, Sciara serpens and its astounding behavior, first brought to his attention by museum docent Maggie Billington.The research paper can be found here.The More You Look is a production of the UA Museum of the North, on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the ancestral lands of the Dena people of the lower Tanana River. UAMN illuminates the natural history and cultural heritage of Alaska and the North through collections, research, education, and partnerships, and by creating a singular museum experience that honors diverse knowledge and respect for the land and its peoples.