Unknown, Unusual Species New to Science: Recently Discovered Species in the World

 

Graphics by Olivia Li

 
 

As of today, scientists have estimated 10 million to 14 million species on Earth, of which only 1.2 million are included in our database of known species, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. In 2023, 968 new species were discovered.

 

THE CREEPY CRAWLIES

Venomius tomhardyi

Taken from BBC

For Marvel fans, the Venomius tomhardyi’s abdominal black spots reminded researchers of the character Venom, played by Tom Hardy. This orb-weaving spider (builders of flat, circular webs) found in coastal forests in Tasmania was distinctive enough to be assigned a new genus of its own. Although the new genus has a similar cylindrical abdomen and colouration as the typical leaf-curling, orb-weaving spiders, it varies in its genital morphology. Exclusively at night, this species builds a silk-lined web to catch prey, which it tears down during the day to hide in tree branch hollows

Dalek nationi

Taken from Noyes (2023)

Many scientists describe 2023 as the “Year of the Wasp.” 619 newly discovered species were types of pollinating, predatory and parasitic wasps. An entire genus of wasp has been named Dalek, such as Dalek nationi from Costa Rica, after the Daleks from Doctor Who and their creator Terry Nation. These wasps with metallic blues, purples and oranges, are parasitic insects that lay their eggs on and in invertebrate hosts (animals lacking a backbone).

 

THE SCALY SLIMIES

Acontias mukwando

Taken from CNN (2023)

A species of skink was discovered on an isolated peak of Serra da Neve, a mountain in the Namid Desert, home to unusual wildlife. Skinks are legless lizards that resemble snakes, except they have external ear openings and movable eyelids. While most skinks are uniform in colour, the new species has a pink ring around its neck.

Hyloscirtus tolkieni

Taken by Juan C. Sánchez-Nivicela

If you took first-year biology, you may be familiar with the species concepts. To give a crash course, the biological species concept considers a species as an interbreeding group of individuals, reproductively isolated from other groups. The ecological species concept separates species by their adaptations to a particular set of resources in the environment. The phylogenetic species concept is based on evolutionary relationships. The oldest concept we learned was the morphological species concept, which identifies species based on similar physical characteristics. With only one individual found, the Hyloscirtus tolkieni, a species of stream treefrog, was already labelled as a new species due to its unique morphology. It was found in the Andean mountains in the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park of Ecuador. The name Hyloscirtus tolkieni was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, because scientists say the colours “evoke the magnificent creatures that seem to only exist in fantasy worlds.”

 

THE LEAFY GREENIES

Pinanga subterranea

Taken from BBC

Despite growing on forest floors throughout Borneo, scientists have overlooked this palm species because its bright red fruits are often eaten by bearded pigs. Unlike most plants, this one buries its flowers and fruits almost entirely underground. Its species name was derived from the Latin word for “underground.” After germination, the stem grows straight downwards, does a U-turn towards the surface, and only its leaves emerge above ground. This is known as “saxophone growth,” which distinguishes it from other palm species.

Pachyphytum odam

Taken by Arturo Castro-Castro/California Academy of Sciences

This newly discovered plant is a succulent that grows out of the side of cliffs. The local O’dam Indigenous community, who have long been aware of the plant’s existence, refer to it as “da’npakal,” which means bald, naked or slippery.

 

THE FOSSIL FRIENDS

Kumimanu fordycei

Taken byL Simone Giovanardi/Natural History Museum

Last but not least, scientists are not only studying living creatures — the Kumimanu fordycei was discovered by studying fossils, and it is the largest penguin to ever exist on Earth. Four new species of extinct birds were found through fossils last year, and this example was a flightless bird that lived 60 million years ago, with an estimated weight of 330 pounds.

 

THE HUMANS—WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US?

Due to human activities–deforestation, overexploitation, fossil fuel extraction, to name a few–along with other factors, new species can emerge and go extinct before they are even known to science. Estimates of rates of extinction vary severely, depending on the source. Experts believe current rates are between 0.01% and 0.1% per year. In the worst case scenario, this comes to a rate of extinction of 273 species per day.

Earth is home to various species, but humans are threatening its biodiversity. As our population grows, we change natural habitats for land use of large-scale food production and urban development. We overexploit resources, such as overfishing, overhunting and overharvesting. We worsen climate change with pollution. All of these actions contribute to biodiversity loss.

The diversity of all species on Earth balances ecosystems around the world, providing us with everything we need to survive, including food, clean water, medicine and shelter. Biodiversity also defends us against climate change, as land and ocean ecosystems absorb more than half of all carbon emissions.

Although we cannot absorb carbon emissions ourselves, there are plenty of other things we can do to sustain biodiversity. We can reduce pollution by avoiding single-use plastics. We can volunteer for nature conservation or restoration, such as planting trees. We can engage in sustainable consumption and production by buying responsibly sourced products. Even if you cannot do all of the above, you can educate yourself and find out how to help.

Take small steps. Maybe those steps will lead you to class instead of driving your car.