Nine newly discovered species from around the globe
Postmedia Network Graphics
First posted: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 10:54 AM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 11:38 AM EDT
There are some 2 million species of plants, animals and microbes on Earth that have been discovered, but there are still millions more to be found. New species are discovered every year. Here’s a look at some of the recent finds.
Image: Luis A. Coloma/CC-BY 4.0
2. Skeleton Shrimp
Image: John Totterdell/MIRG Australia
3. Venemous jellyfish
Image: John Totterdell/MIRG Australia
4. Creeping water bugs
Image: Entomological Society of America
5. Shape-shifting rain frog
Image: Jürgen Otto
6. Saki monkeys
Image: Crijnfotin
7. Ruby-red sea dragon
Image: Stiller J. et al. 2015 "A spectacular new species of sea dragon (Syngnathidae)." R. Soc. open sci. 2:140458. (doi:10.1098/rsos.140458)
8. Peacock spiders
Image: Jürgen Otto
9. Glassfrog
Image: Brian Kubicki, Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center
Sources: International Institute For Species Exploration; Science News; Live Science; National Geographic; Sci-News.com; wire stories; Popular Mechanics
Nine newly discovered species from around the globe | World | News | Toronto Sun
Postmedia Network Graphics
First posted: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 10:54 AM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 11:38 AM EDT
There are some 2 million species of plants, animals and microbes on Earth that have been discovered, but there are still millions more to be found. New species are discovered every year. Here’s a look at some of the recent finds.
- 309 new species of fish were found in 2009
- 1,478 new species of Arachnid were found in 2009 (includes spiders, ticks, mites, etc.)
- 9,738 new species of insects were found in 2009
- 615 new species were discovered on the island of Madagascar between 1999 and 2010, including 69 amphibians, 61 reptiles and 41 mammals
- Three new species
- Found: Peru, Ecuador forests
- Resemble miniature dragons with probing eyes, richly patterned skin and rows of spikelike scales
- Size: 7-15 cm (3-6”) long
2. Skeleton Shrimp
- Found: Southern California
- Only distantly related to the ones you love to dip in cocktail sauce
- This new species has an eerie, translucent appearance, resembling a bony structure.
- Size: 2.1-3.3 mm (0.08-0.13”) long
3. Venemous jellyfish
- Found: Australia
- These jellyfish are able to fire their stingers into their victim, causing a delayed reaction. Severe pain, numbness and paraesthesia usually require hospitalization.
- This new species, Keesingia gigas, can reach 50 cm (20”), while most Irukandji jellyfish range from 5 mm to 2.5 cm (0.2-1”) in bell height.
4. Creeping water bugs
- Found: Streams in Belize
- Also called saucer bugs because of their round, flat shape.
- 900,000+ species that have previously been described
5. Shape-shifting rain frog
- Found: Ecuador’s Andes Mountains
- Size: 20-23 mm (0.8-0.9”) long
- Can morph its skin texture from spiny to smooth in just minutes
6. Saki monkeys
- Found: South America
- Five new species
- Also called flying monkeys
- Can quickly flee through the treetops with leaps up to 9 m.
7. Ruby-red sea dragon
- Found: Australia's southern coast
- Size: 24 cm (9.4”) long
- Vibrant red body colour
- Sea dragons are related to sea horses but have a longer snout and a longer tail that doesn't curl.
8. Peacock spiders
- Found: Australia
- Two new species
- Size: 3-7 mm (0.1-0.3”) long
- Have a very unique mating dance: The males display a flap-like body part called a fan that is patterned with bold, transverse stripes. They also raise a single leg, displaying it to the female.
9. Glassfrog
- Found: Costa Rica rainforests
- Size: 2.5 cm (1”),
- Named for their translucent bodies through which you can view their organs
- This new species has a strong resemblance to Kermit the Frog
Sources: International Institute For Species Exploration; Science News; Live Science; National Geographic; Sci-News.com; wire stories; Popular Mechanics
Nine newly discovered species from around the globe | World | News | Toronto Sun