Expeditions gone sideways
Failure is as much a part of science as unsuccessful attempts are a part of experimentation. Our researchers Ralph Peters and Umilaela Arifin have agreed to introduce us to the less glorious stages of some of their research trips.
A millimetre-long sand flea is at large in rainforest countries such as Gabon, in Central Africa. The parasite feels particularly at home in well-populated sandy soils. Why is that?
This is where it finds its animal and human victims, into whose skin it burrows to grow and lay its eggs. It’s not much fun for the people affected since the flea comes with some side effects such as itching and inflammation. For Dr. Ralph Peters, this is a small price that he is happy to pay for science. In order to access the DNA of this animal group for his research of the insects’ phylogenetic development, he has chosen to add the genetic material of the small flea to his database. Ralph Peters’ plans for getting his hands on this genetic jewel include simply ignoring all warnings and dashing barefoot across well-frequented sandy areas to attract the tiny creatures. In spite of his heroic act, he did not manage to pick up the parasite. Disappointed, empty-handed and healthy-footed, he made his way back home.
But hallelujah! Teamwork saves the day as his colleague Dr. Julia Schwarzer discovers a stowaway on her foot at home – a sand flea. As a result, the parasite’s genetic contribution could make it into the LIB database after all. Who would have thought that the little insect could be so very picky?
Is it too banal to be true? Not at all. Our colleague from the Reptiles and Amphibians Section, Dr. Umilaela Arifin, experienced how the physical well-being of a group of researchers can disrupt an entire expedition. On one of her research expeditions in Sumatra, she set off with a team to collect frogs, lizards, and snakes. The days of fieldwork were an intense challenge for the researchers. Wearing headlamps, they hunted for amphibians at night to find the animals during their active phases and caught the tree-dwelling reptiles by hand or blowpipe during the day.
They then meticulously preserved every individual specimen. In the end, everyone was exhausted but content on the journey home. What comes next is an unexpected twist as the team finds that their precious specimens have disappeared. Eventually, it dawns on them that they must have forgotten them where they had fortified themselves with durian fruit at a street food stall. Panic breaks out as the team realises the impact of this on their scientific mission. The only thing left for them to do is to retrace their own steps and set off on a chase through the jungle.
No worries, though – this story also ends well enough: The specimens turned up again, though it was near a rubbish heap rather than in an exclusive zoo. Everyone greeted the news with great relief and a new understanding of the stamina needed by researchers, and the pitfalls lurking in the most unexpected of places.