In a remarkable twist of fate, scientists in Brazil have made an astonishing rediscovery of a tree species thought to have vanished from the planet for nearly two centuries. The small holly tree, scientifically known as Ilex sapiiformis but more commonly referred to as the Pernambuco holly, has been found thriving in the urban city of Igarassu, Pernambuco state, by a dedicated expedition team. This remarkable find has left the scientific community in awe and is being hailed as an "incredible moment" for conservation.
The Pernambuco Holly's status had long been a cause for concern among conservationists, earning a spot on the "top 25 most wanted lost species" list created by Re:wild, a renowned conservation group. This list, established in collaboration with experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), catalogues species that have eluded scientific discovery for at least a decade, with many presumed extinct for much longer.
The momentous rediscovery in Igarassu represents the ninth species from this list to be found since Re:wild's "Search for Lost Species" initiative was launched in 2017. So far, this global quest has successfully uncovered at least eight of the most wanted animals and plants.
The expedition team, undeterred by the urbanization of Igarassu over the decades, embarked on a six-day journey to locate the elusive Pernambuco Holly. The breakthrough came when they identified four individual trees through their distinctive tiny white flowers.
This compilation has been crafted by Re:wild in collaboration with experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and encompasses over 2,200 absent species spanning 160 nations. Among these species, some have remained elusive to scientific discovery for a minimum of a decade, with many believed to have vanished from our knowledge for even more extended periods. Up to this point, the worldwide endeavor to relocate these species has successfully identified at least eight out of the top 25 most sought-after animals and plants on the list.
Igarassu, despite its transformation into an urban landscape, was once blanketed by dense tropical rainforests, where the Pernambuco Holly was known to flourish.
"It seemed that the world had stopped turning its gears. Nature surprises us. Finding a species that hasn't been heard of in nearly two centuries doesn't happen every day. It was an incredible moment,” voiced Juliana Alencar, a member of the project team.
Another team member likened the experience to "finding a long-lost and long-awaited relative that you only know by old portraits."
The expedition's leader, Gustavo Martinelli, now envisions launching a breeding program to safeguard the species.
"The search for more Pernambuco Holly trees isn't over yet! The team is hoping to organize additional searches with other local partners to find more individuals of the species. The goal is to collaborate with partners to better protect the forests where the Pernambuco Holly was found and establish a captive breeding program for the tree," said Re:wild.
The rediscovery of the Pernambuco Holly serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of nature and the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. It renews hope for the survival of other species that have long been considered lost to science, demonstrating that even in the face of urbanization and habitat loss, nature still has the capacity to astonish and inspire us.
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