A New Species Top 10

Though we often focus our attentions on familiar wildlife in danger of disappearing, let’s take a breather to note a few species that we’re gaining--or more exactly--those that we’re only now getting around to noticing. The 1.8 million or so species named in the 250 years since Carl Linnaeus created the modern plant and animal classification system are only a small slice of what’s out there. Scientists estimate that there are anywhere from a total of 2 million to 100 million species, with most estimates falling in the 10 million range. Since it’s much easier to protect what we know, taxonomy is an important, though often unglamorous, step towards biodiversity conservation. 

On May 23rd, Linnaeus’ birthday, the International Institute for Species Exploration based at Arizona State University issued their first annual State of Observed Species Report. It summarizes the nearly 17,000 new species described by scientists during the 2006 calendar year.

Charismatic megafauna these are not. More than half were insects, including 3,176 new types of beetles. Not to be outdone, 1,269 freshly minted arachnids (think spiders, ticks, and scorpions, oh my) tallied in, and more than 2,000 plants rounded out the high scorers. According to the report, 37 new birds species got their due, though, as with most of the newly recognized land vertebrates, the majority were actually fossil specimens. 

An international committee of taxonomists also weighed in on a Top 10 list of new species named in 2007. They winnowed down the nominees based on diverse criteria, including the species' unique characteristics and even eccentric names. And a few winners are…


Courtesy of Arizona State University/International Institute for Species Exploration

Oxyuranus temporalis is likely one of the most venomous snakes in the world, given that its two closest relatives are ranked first and third. Its discovery from a single specimen in a desolate dry region of Western Australia highlights how little is known about even large species in harsh, often poorly studied, habitats.   


Courtesy of Arizona State University/International Institute for Species Exploration

 
Electrolux addisoni, a new genus and species commonly known as the ornate sleeper ray, was found in the Western Indian Ocean. Its vigorous sucking action while feeding reminded the scientists of a vacuum cleaner, hence the Electrolux brand became the ray’s namesake. 


Courtesy of Arizona State University/International Institute for Species Exploration

Philautus maia was described in 2006 based on a single preserved female sitting in a museum. The frog was collected around 1860 from Sri Lanka and is now, like many related species from this area, probably extinct. The frog was chosen to illustrate why museum collections are important for documenting baseline conditions of regional biodiversity. 

- Jessica Leber