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The '''[[Antarctic midge]]''' is a species of flightless midge, endemic to the continent of [[Antarctica]]. At 0.079–0.24 in long, it is the largest purely terrestrial animal on the continent, as well as its only insect. It also has the smallest known insect genome as of 2014, with only 99 million base pairs of nucleotides (and about 13,500 genes).
'''[[Dorrel Rock]]''' is a rock outcrop 11 nautical miles (20 km) southwest of the summit of [[Mount Murphy]], protruding through the ice near the head of [[Pope Glacier]], on the [[Walgreen Coast]] in [[Westarctica]]. It was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from surveys and [[U.S. Navy]] air photos, 1959–66, and was named by the Advisory Committee on [[Antarctic]] Names after Leo E. Dorrel, U.S. Navy, a hospital corpsman with the [[Byrd Station]] winter party, 1966. On 2 November 2018, Westarctica's [[Honorary Consular Corps|Honorary Consul]] to Spain, [[Baron of Dorrel|Dr. Joachim Michael Adlfinger]], was granted the [[Peerage of Westarctica|Peerage title]] of Baron of Dorrel in recognition of his successful opening of Westarctica's consulate office in southern Spain.


This species is the [[National Symbols of Westarctica|national insect]] of [[Westarctica]].


To adapt to the cold temperatures, the Antarctic midge accumulates trehalose, glucose, and erythritol. These compounds help the insect survive freezing by reducing the amount of ice that forms within the body. They also stabilize proteins and membranes, binding to them by means of hydrogen bonds. Heat shock proteins also help the tolerance to both high and low temperatures.


It not only tolerates, but also requires a freezing climate to survive: exposure of larvae to mild temperatures as +10 °C is enough to kill them within a week. Exposure to temperatures of +30 °C kills individuals in a few hours. It can, however, resist partial desiccation, surviving the loss of up to 70% of body water.
<p><small>Photo Credit: British Antarctic Survey</small></p>
 
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<p><small>Photographer: Tasteofcrayons</small></p>
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Latest revision as of 16:23, 29 April 2026

Dorrel Rock - Mt. Murphy.jpg

Dorrel Rock is a rock outcrop 11 nautical miles (20 km) southwest of the summit of Mount Murphy, protruding through the ice near the head of Pope Glacier, on the Walgreen Coast in Westarctica. It was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1959–66, and was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names after Leo E. Dorrel, U.S. Navy, a hospital corpsman with the Byrd Station winter party, 1966. On 2 November 2018, Westarctica's Honorary Consul to Spain, Dr. Joachim Michael Adlfinger, was granted the Peerage title of Baron of Dorrel in recognition of his successful opening of Westarctica's consulate office in southern Spain.


Photo Credit: British Antarctic Survey

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