A new beetle species is named after Houston

A research team with Rice University and Sam Houston State University members discovered a new tiger beetle species in Houston and named the small, slightly metallic creature after the city.

Why it matters: The Eunota houstoniana was once considered synonymous with the more common Eunota circumpicta beetle, but the team's research revealed different physical and genetic characteristics.

Threat level: While Eunota houstoniana is newly discovered, it's likely a threatened species because its habitats are increasingly jeopardized by urbanization and agricultural or industrial activities, per Scott Egan, an evolutionary biologist at Rice.

• "Because of all the growth around Houston, some of these populations have likely gone extinct, while others have been hiding right out our back door," Egan said.

What they're saying: "It is amazing that within the city limits of Houston, we still don't know all the species of insects or plants we share our region with," Egan said in a statement.

Fun facts: Eunota houstoniana are normally around saline soils near salt domes and oil extraction sites along the Gulf Coast.

• Biologists say the species' habitat spans from coastal regions to inland areas, demonstrating its adaptability and ecological importance.

By the numbers: Eunota houstoniana is the 17th tiger beetle species discovered by Rice researchers, according to the university.

• There are around 62 known tiger beetle species in Texas.

Separately, Egan and his team discovered another new beetle species: the Eunota luecophasma, a white ghost tiger beetle from West Texas.

The bottom line: The discovery emphasized the need for a refined process of species delineation, per Rice.

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