New species
With 1.64 million named species on the planet, you may think that there surely can't be many more new species to be discovered. but estimates suggest this accounts for only 19 per cent of the total population. That means there's another 7 million+ to be discovered. A 2016 study estimated that bacteria could add almost another trillion species.
The new ‘Bone Collector’ caterpillar wears the remains of its prey – and we have the footage to prove it
A newly discovered caterpillar species has a macabre fashion sense, to say the least
How Carl Linnaeus used scientific naming to throw serious shade
In this edited extract from Stephen B. Heard’s new book Charles Darwin’s Barnacle and David Bowie’s Spider, we discover how the father of modern taxonomy was no stranger to dropping an insult or two.
25-million-year-old mega wombat 'about the size of a black bear' discovered
The creature, named Mukupirna nambensis, was at least five times larger than living wombats.
Fish with Black Panther-inspired name one of 71 new species found in 2019
The California Academy of Sciences named a host of new species last year – here are our favourites.
Natural History Museum officially names 412 species previously unknown to science in 2019
Beetles, snakes and dinosaurs among species discovered in the past year.
Prehistoric lice dined on feathered dinosaurs as long as 100 million years ago
According to new research, the tiny insects were very similar to modern lice.
Idris Elba 'honoured' to have new species of broccoli parasite named after him
The insect was detected in Guanajuato, Mexico, where it was found to parasitise the eggs of an invasive stink bug.
New beetle species named in honour of Greta Thunberg's environmental activism
Scientists named the insect Nelloptodes gretae for the 16-year-old’s ‘outstanding contribution’ in raising global awareness of climate change.
Members of new crocodile species identified in zoo
The researchers say their findings call for new conservation assessments to be put in place.
Giant two-metre salamander thought to be world's largest amphibian
The South China giant salamander was identified as a new species from a museum specimen.
New species of tiny hominin discovered in the Philippines
The early human, called Homo luzonensis, was identified from fossilised remains found in Callao Cave on Luzon Island.
There’s always a bigger fish: Animals named after Star Wars creatures and characters
The Star Wars universe is not just inspiration for young padwans, it also provides rich pickings for biologists needing names for new species.
How many species have yet to be discovered?
Humans may have explored most of the planet, but about 86 per cent of species are still waiting to be found.
Newly discovered frog species has a visible heart
The tiny Hyalinobatrachium yaku belongs to the family of frogs called Centrolenidae, or glass frogs.
ESF’s top 10 new species for 2017 revealed
A vibrant katydid, an amphibious centipede, and a marine worm that looks like a churro are among 2017’s top new species.
New ant species named after Radiohead
A new species of ant able to grow fungus as a source for food has been discovered - and will be named in honour of the alternative-rock band Radiohead.
Brace yourself, the dragon ants are coming
Cutting-edge 3D imaging has identified two new ant species, who bear resemblance to some roaring Game of Thrones characters.
Silver Boa: the new treasure of the Bahamas
Biologists on a Caribbean treasure hunt discover a new species of snake with shimmering, silver skin.
Newly discovered species reveals how the T. Rex became king of the dinosaurs
New species of horse-sized dinosaur gives key insights into how a family of small-bodied dinosaurs evolved over millions of years to become fearsome giants.
New ‘ghostlike’ species of octopus discovered
Spooky cephalopod dubbed Casper the Friendly Ghost confuses scientists - may not belong to any known genus.