New Species

Citizen scientists and researchers, collaborating through Taxon Expeditions, have discovered and documented a new beetle species, Clavicornaltica mataikanensis, in Borneo’s rainforests, showcasing the significant, yet largely uncharted, biodiversity of tropical forests. Credit: Taxon Expeditions – Holm FriedrichThe undiscovered small beetles in the tropical rainforest are probably endless. But that did not discourage citizen scientists on expeditions to the Ulu Temburong forest in Borneo to keep adding them to scientific…

Scientists have discovered a new species of giant anaconda, the northern green anaconda, in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The discovery was made during an expedition invited by the Waorani people. The team’s findings highlight the genetic uniqueness of the species and the ecological threats facing the Amazon, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts. Credit: Jesus RivasA team of scientists on location with a film crew in the remote Amazon has uncovered a previously undocumented species of giant anaconda.Professor…

Hylaeus navai female. Found on the Viti Levu and Taveuni islands of Fiji, this species is still only known from the females, but is named in honor of Navai Village and their long-term support of Fijian bee research. Credit: James Dorey PhotographyScientists have discovered a previously unknown species radiation of masked bees, which is restricted to the tree canopies of Pacific islands.In 1934, Elwood Zimmerman, an American entomologist who was an undergraduate at Berkeley at the time, took part in the ‘Mangarevan…

Researchers have made progress against citrus greening disease by developing hybrid citrus trees that produce desirable orange-like fruit and resist the disease. Through genetic analysis, they’ve created tools for early flavor profile screening, marking a significant step in ensuring future hybrids combine disease tolerance with the essential sweet orange flavor.Antibiotic-resistant infection is projected to catch up to cancer as the leading cause of death by 2050, making understanding and limiting the spread of…

Two new species of the delicate mouse have been discovered in Australia, thanks to genetic research by ANU and CSIRO, underscoring the need for specific conservation efforts and highlighting the species’ unique ecological role. Above is a picture of Pseudomys pilbarensis. Credit: Ian BoolAustralia can lay claim to two new species of native rodent thanks to a study from The Australian National University (ANU).The aptly named delicate mouse was previously thought to be a single species spanning a massive stretch of the…

Lake Tagimoucia as seen from Des Voeux Peak on Taveuni, Fiji. Both the lake and the peak have been the sites where new species were found. The Peak in particular is where the first Fijian Hylaeus were collected for this project. Credit: James Dorey PhotographyRecent scientific research conducted by Flinders University has led to the discovery of eight new bee species in the Pacific and has provided fresh insights into the behavior of birds in Fiji on Viti Levu Island.The studies, both funded by fieldwork supported by the…

Brown morph of Shah’s Eyelash-Pitviper (Bothriechis rasikusumorum). This species is named after the Shah family. It is endemic to Huila department in southeastern Colombia, where it inhabits montane cloud forests and coffee plantations. Credit: Jose VieiraScientists have identified five new eyelash viper species in Colombia and Ecuador with unique appearances.A group of scientists led by researchers of Khamai Foundation discovered five dazzling new species of eyelash vipers in the jungles and cloud forests of Colombia and…

The scientists named the jellyfish Santjordia pagesi because of its bright red stomach that resembles the Cross of St George. Credit: Dhugal John Lindsay/JAMSTECThe creature has been observed just twice within the depths of the Sumisu Caldera, a volcanic formation in the Ogasawara Islands. The scientist was part of the group that documented a scarce medusa species discovered at a depth of 812 meters.A gelatinous animal with a diameter of about 10 cm and a red stomach resembling the Cross of St George when seen from above.…

The discovery of two potential new lamprey species in California by UC Davis researchers highlights significant biodiversity and ecological importance, urging further exploration into these ancient, jawless fish. Above is a picture of a Pacific lamprey resting in a river. Credit: Jeremy Monroe, Fresh Waters IllustratedThese jawless fish play a crucial role in the ecosystem.A study from the University of California, Davis, has identified two potential new species of lamprey fish in the waters of California. The research is…

Preserved heads of two new millipede species, Lophostreptus magombera and Udzungwastreptus marianae. Credit: University of the Sunshine CoastResearchers have uncovered a new genus and five new species of millipedes in remote African jungles – and say the many-legged creatures could hold important clues to whether woody vines are choking or protecting the world’s forests.University of the Sunshine Coast Professor Andy Marshall said they found the millipedes – with heads that look somewhat like Star Wars characters – among…