The International Institute for Species Exploration named its top 10 new species on Monday, May 23. The scientists said this newly discovered tortoise "could serve as a poster species for conservation and evolution." There are only about 250 of these guys left, so the discovery has immediate conservation implications.
Chelonoidis donfaustoi —
The International Institute for Species Exploration named its top 10 new species on Monday, May 23. The scientists said this newly discovered tortoise "could serve as a poster species for conservation and evolution." There are only about 250 of these guys left, so the discovery has immediate conservation implications.
ESF
This giant sundew is believed to be the first plant species discovered through photos posted on Facebook.
Drosera magnifica —
This giant sundew is believed to be the first plant species discovered through photos posted on Facebook.
ESF
Homo naledi, discovered in South Africa, shares some features with modern humans (similar size and weight) and some features with earlier ancestors.
Homo naledi —
Homo naledi, discovered in South Africa, shares some features with modern humans (similar size and weight) and some features with earlier ancestors.
ESF
Isopods are crustaceans that live in water or on land. And this little guy (a third of an inch long) is blind and unpigmented and has a whole bunch of legs.
Iuiuniscus iuiuensis —
Isopods are crustaceans that live in water or on land. And this little guy (a third of an inch long) is blind and unpigmented and has a whole bunch of legs.
ESF
This anglerfish takes the award for the ugliest entry in this year's list. Scientists found the 2-inch-long Lasiognathus dinema in the Gulf of Mexico while assessing damage from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Lasiognathus dinema —
This anglerfish takes the award for the ugliest entry in this year's list. Scientists found the 2-inch-long Lasiognathus dinema in the Gulf of Mexico while assessing damage from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
ESF
Check out this beauty. It's ruby red with pink vertical bars. And its discovery off the coast of Western Australia is a big deal because this is only the third known species of seadragons.
Phyllopteryx dewysea —
Check out this beauty. It's ruby red with pink vertical bars. And its discovery off the coast of Western Australia is a big deal because this is only the third known species of seadragons.
ESF
This tiny beetle is named after Paddington Bear. Scientists hope that just like in the kids' books about the lovable bear, people will look after this beetle.
Phytotelmatrichis osopaddington —
This tiny beetle is named after Paddington Bear. Scientists hope that just like in the kids' books about the lovable bear, people will look after this beetle.
ESF
This small ape raises a big, interesting possibility: Could we be more closely related to gibbons than great apes?
Pliobates cataloniae —
This small ape raises a big, interesting possibility: Could we be more closely related to gibbons than great apes?
ESF
This new tree species was found just off the main road at Monts de Cristal National Park in Gabon.
Sirdavidia solannona —
This new tree species was found just off the main road at Monts de Cristal National Park in Gabon.
ESF
Sixty new species of dragonflies and damselflies were reported in one single publication, the most for any single paper in more than 100 years.
Umma gumma —
Sixty new species of dragonflies and damselflies were reported in one single publication, the most for any single paper in more than 100 years.
Jens Kipping