Ancient slater-like creatures that hitched a ride when New Zealand split from Australia 18 million years ago have been found alive and well in Christchurch's water supply.
Scientists believed the bugs were extinct after they went missing from the scientific record for 60 years. But a search found all nine known species (and four new ones) living unnoticed in South Island pools, swamps and drains.
The inch long creatures play a major role in cleansing Canterbury's
groundwater and keeping Christchurch's drinking water naturally pure. In fact, Christchurch's water is so pure that it goes straight
to homes without chlorination! It seems the Canterbury plains act like a big bio-filter, removing any contaminants from the surface. And, the bugs are a big part of that, eating clay-sized particles and digesting bacteria that might be harmful to humans.
The bugs' future survival depends on New Zealand protecting its wetlands, as they can't live in rivers. Apparently they need constant water but they don't like big flows that wash them away. So here's hoping NZ does the right thing and looks after its wetlands, its bugs and its people.
Read more in the NZ Herald. Photo: NIWA
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