Kosovar Biologist Names Newly Discovered Insect after Coronavirus
2021-04-23
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1Kosovar biologist Halil Ibrahimi believes the restrictions related to the coronavirus were not all bad.
2As a result of the measures, he was able to finish a research project and raise public awareness about the pollution of rivers in Kosovo.
3And, since his research was completed during the pandemic, Ibrahimi decided to name a newly discovered insect after the coronavirus.
4Ibrahimi spent years working on a research report on an insect species found in Kosovo's Bjeshket e Nemuna national park.
5That species now has the name Potamophylax coronavirus.
6Ibrahimi is a professor of the Natural Sciences Faculty at Pristina University.
7When he collected the insects in the national park, he found that the creatures were quite different from other species in the Balkans.
8For example, the insects are much smaller and live in areas about 2,000 meters above sea level.
9Ibrahimi announced the new name for the species in a scientific publication this month.
10"Coronavirus was the most vivid thing during the time when the species was discovered," he said.
11Vivid is a term that means producing a clear, strong, or sharp feeling.
12During his research, Ibrahimi also discovered that conditions along the Lumbardhi i Deçanit River, where the new species was found, had worsened in recent years.
13The river damage is likely linked to the building of a hydropower plant.
14Kosovo, and the Balkan countries in general, have a long history of environmental pollution of all kinds.
15Ibrahimi compared the effects of pollution on the insects to the coronavirus crisis.
16"It has the same effect on the species living in the rivers as the coronavirus is causing to humankind these days," he said.
17The overall environmental situation in Kosovo has worsened over the years.
18This is likely a result of increased building, traffic and industrial pollution, as well as government efforts to push the use of small hydropower plants.
19A 2020 report by Kosovo's Ministry of Economy and Environment noted that "uncontrolled use of water resources and damage to river beds still remains one of the forms of degradation of our water resources."
20Degradation is a term that means the process of damaging or ruining something.
21Ibrahimi suggested that people should "rethink their attitude toward the environment" because these insects are "the first barrier before the pollution comes to the humans."
22He added that insects are the first sign "that something is going wrong in the environment."
23Now that the coronavirus and the insect are forever linked by name, Ibrahimi suggests that government agencies should take measures to stop further damage to the environment.
24"And," he added, "people must start considering these insect species as part of their own life."
25I'm John Russell.
1Kosovar biologist Halil Ibrahimi believes the restrictions related to the coronavirus were not all bad. As a result of the measures, he was able to finish a research project and raise public awareness about the pollution of rivers in Kosovo. And, since his research was completed during the pandemic, Ibrahimi decided to name a newly discovered insect after the coronavirus. 2Ibrahimi spent years working on a research report on an insect species found in Kosovo's Bjeshket e Nemuna national park. That species now has the name Potamophylax coronavirus. 3Ibrahimi is a professor of the Natural Sciences Faculty at Pristina University. When he collected the insects in the national park, he found that the creatures were quite different from other species in the Balkans. For example, the insects are much smaller and live in areas about 2,000 meters above sea level. 4Ibrahimi announced the new name for the species in a scientific publication this month. "Coronavirus was the most vivid thing during the time when the species was discovered," he said. 5Vivid is a term that means producing a clear, strong, or sharp feeling. 6During his research, Ibrahimi also discovered that conditions along the Lumbardhi i Deçanit River, where the new species was found, had worsened in recent years. The river damage is likely linked to the building of a hydropower plant. 7Kosovo, and the Balkan countries in general, have a long history of environmental pollution of all kinds. 8Ibrahimi compared the effects of pollution on the insects to the coronavirus crisis. 9"It has the same effect on the species living in the rivers as the coronavirus is causing to humankind these days," he said. 10The overall environmental situation in Kosovo has worsened over the years. This is likely a result of increased building, traffic and industrial pollution, as well as government efforts to push the use of small hydropower plants. 11A 2020 report by Kosovo's Ministry of Economy and Environment noted that "uncontrolled use of water resources and damage to river beds still remains one of the forms of degradation of our water resources." 12Degradation is a term that means the process of damaging or ruining something. 13Ibrahimi suggested that people should "rethink their attitude toward the environment" because these insects are "the first barrier before the pollution comes to the humans." 14He added that insects are the first sign "that something is going wrong in the environment." 15Now that the coronavirus and the insect are forever linked by name, Ibrahimi suggests that government agencies should take measures to stop further damage to the environment. "And," he added, "people must start considering these insect species as part of their own life." 16I'm John Russell. 17Florent Bajrami and Llazar Semini reported on this story for the Associated Press John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 18_____________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20species - n. biology : a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus 21hydropower - n. electricity produced from machines that are run by moving water 22attitude - n. the way you think and feel about someone or something