A SPECIES of insect previously unknown to scientists was found recently in the Cairngorms.

The 2mm black Christii fly (Ectaetia christii), which lives under the bark of dead aspen trees, is among more than 1000 rare species profiled in a new book on the Cairngorms launched by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

The fly was one of a series of discoveries made during research summarised in the most comprehensive book ever written on the environment of the Cairngorms.

It includes details on more than 20 discoveries of plants, invertebrates and fungi species new to Britain and some new to science; 223 species mainly found in the Cairngorms, and 1153 species for which the Cairngorms are nationally important.

A copy of The Nature Of The Cairngorms: Diversity In A Changing Environment will be presented to all secondary schools and public libraries throughout the Cairngorms area.

At the launch, at Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve within the Cairngorms national park, deputy minister for wildlife Rhona Brankin said, “Scotland is famed for the richness of its wildlife and it is remarkable that, given current scientific knowledge, we are still finding new species.

“SNH’s newly published wildlife inventory for the Cairngorms area will help work to protect some of the species for generations to come by educating people about the rich biodiversity in Scotland’s backyard and teaching them that its future is in their hands.”

Professor Des Thompson, principal uplands adviser in SNH and a contributor to the book, commented, “This is the first time we have brought together so much information on the wealth of species for which the Cairngorms is nationally important.

“We are very excited that this part of Scotland continues to reveal so many secrets about the richness of its wildlife. Nowhere else in Britain—and some would argue in Europe—will you find so much diversity of wildlife in such a confined area. The book highlights the particular importance of the Cairngorms’ woodland habitats and the area’s less well known species, such as its insects, fungi and lichens.”

CPNA convener Andrew Thin said, “The publication of this book highlights the many special qualities of the Cairngorms and demonstrates clearly why this place was made a national park.

“The vast amount of information in the book will help prioritise areas of our work in relation to nature conservation and land management as well as provide a valuable contribution to the development of the national park plan for the Cairngorms.”

Speaking at the launch, Professor Charles Gimingham, formerly of Aberdeen University and a renowned ecologist on the Scottish uplands, said, “This is a marvellous source book for all those concerned with the future conservation and management of the area.

“It will provide a valuable handbook to all concerned with the national park and associated territories, and their wildlife and habitats.”

The book includes research carried out over the past 20 years and highlights the national and international importance of the Cairngorms for an enormous range of invertebrates, fungi, lichens and plants, as well as for its more iconic species such as the capercaillie, ptarmigan, freshwater pearl mussel, pine marten and red squirrel.

Flies account for around 15% of nationally important species in the Cairngorms.

This diversity is partly due to the area’s ancient Caledonian forest, which provided a refuge for many species not found elsewhere.

The richest concentrations of species were in the woodlands of the Cairngorms, particularly the Strathspey forests of Abernethy, Rothiemurchus, and Craigellachie to Coylumbridge, as well as parts of Deeside: at Inverey, Morrone and Glen Tanar.

Conserving and enhancing the Cairngorms National Park’s biodiversity and landscapes is a key priority in developing the national park plan for the Cairngorms, which is out for consultation.

The Nature Of The Cairngorms: Diversity In A Changing Environment (ISBN 011 4973261), edited by Philip Shaw and Des Thompson, is published by TSO Scotland for SNH and is available by calling 0870 606 5566 or Emailing edinburgh.book shop@tso.co.uk