The City of Cape Town has discovered a small jumping cockroach—called a leaproach—at the Steenbras Nature Reserve, the first of its kind to be found in a Western Cape nature reserve. As the only roach with the ability to jump, leaproaches have highly modified limbs to facilitate the jumping motion.
On World Wildlife Day, the City has used this discovery to serve as a reminder that not all wildlife is big and furry and that the less charismatic also deserve recognition.
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“We celebrate World Wildlife Day today, and this year we are welcoming an unexpected member to the City’s wildlife population. The leaproach is a family member of the cockroach but has developed the ability to jump,” said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
He continued, “Featuring on the 2011 list of the world’s top 10 new species, we are immensely proud to confirm that we have discovered that the leaproach is residing in the Steenbras Nature Reserve. Although they are known to be found in the Fynbos biome of Table Mountain National Park, we have not sighted them in our nature reserves before. I’m often in awe at nature’s ability to surprise us with incredible species still to be discovered.”
Alderman Andrews encouraged residents to visit a nature reserve, go for a walk, and enjoy the incredible biodiversity that Cape Town has to offer because they might just spot the leaproach.
The first leaproach was discovered in 2006 at the Silvermine Nature Reserve by Professor Mike Picker and Dr Jonathan Colville, both from the University of Cape Town at the time.
The leaproaches are between 6 and 20 millimetres long and jump among plants, much like grasshoppers do.
While only one species has been formally described, Dr Colville confirms that he and Prof. Picker have discovered approximately a dozen undescribed species throughout the Fynbos Biome. He also noted that the individuals from Steenbras resemble those from the Ceres region. Their goal is to formally describe these newly discovered species.
On Saturday, 25 February 2023, the City’s Head of Conservation Services discovered several leaching areas at the Steenbras Nature Reserve, some alongside a dry stream and others in a densely vegetated wetland.
“The discovery of the leaproaches at Steenbras is interesting as they appear unique to the Fynbos biome. This again highlights the amazing insect diversity within the fynbos and the habitat they provide to a plethora of wildlife,” said Alderman Andrews.
“For those who wonder, I can confirm that leaproaches and all the other many species of cockroaches in the fynbos are completely benign and harmless. They may look odd or even grisly to some of us, but they have the very important task of breaking down plant material,” he added.
“Leaproaches are well adapted to their environment; they have evolved wide protruding eyes to improve their vision; a second joint at the base of the antennae to help stabilise it during jumps; and highly modified limbs to facilitate the jumping motion,” said Dr Colville.
This year, World Wildlife Day is dedicated to those who are involved in conserving wildlife. One million species are currently under threat, with five groups of species that some may not have expected to be particularly threatened:
- A 2015 IUCN report revealed that 31% of the world’s 1,500 cactus species are under threat.
- Seaweeds are declining due to mechanical dredging and rising sea temperatures.
- Giraffes: there are approximately 68 000 giraffes left in the wild.
- According to the IUCN Red List, 116 of the world’s 375 parrot species are listed as vulnerable, endangered, or worse.
- An estimated 31% of the world’s 430 oak species are threatened with extinction.
“On this note, I want to thank the dedicated staff at the City’s nature reserves for their contribution to preserving and protecting our natural areas. We value your enthusiasm, whether you are out in the field or behind desks, planning ahead to make sure all goes well in our protected areas. Thank you for the long hours you put in to ensure that Capetonians are living in one of the most biodiverse cities in the world,” concluded Alderman Andrews.
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook