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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…

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 discovery of a new fossil shark species, Palaeohypotodus bizzocoi, in Alabama, marks a significant contribution to paleontology, providing insights into marine life recovery post-dinosaur extinction and enhancing understanding of Alabama’s rich fossil fish diversity. Palaeohypotodus bizzocoi teeth. Credit: Ebersole et al.Following the extinction of the dinosaurs, this shark emerged as one of the top predators of the ocean.A team of scientists recently announced the discovery of a new fossil shark species from Alabama,…

Scientists have discovered Tudors’s Coffee-Snake, a new species endemic to Ecuador’s cloud forests. Found by biologist Alejandro Arteaga, it resides in coffee plantations at high elevations. This discovery highlights the need for conservation in cloud forests and surrounding habitats, with the species naming aiding in such efforts. Credit: Alejandro ArteagaResearchers from Khamai Foundation and Liberty University have identified a new species of coffee snake, endemic to the cloud forests in northwestern Ecuador.Biologist…

The Ayeyarwady pit viper, a new species discovered in Myanmar by Dr. Chan Kin Onn, illustrates the complexities of species differentiation in pit vipers. This species, which displays traits of both the redtail and mangrove pit vipers, was initially thought to be a hybrid but was confirmed as distinct through genomic analysis. Credit: Wolfgang WüsterFinding and describing new species can be a tricky endeavor. Scientists typically look for distinctive characters that can differentiate one species from another. However,…

A new iguana species, Wang’s garden lizard, has been identified in Asia, featuring unique characteristics and a diverse diet. While not currently threatened, conservation concerns have been raised due to habitat fragmentation and human exploitation. Credit: Huang et al.A newly discovered iguana species adds to Asia’s diverse reptile population, having been formally recognized in the scientific community through its description in the open-access journal ZooKeys.“From 2009 to 2022, we conducted a series of field surveys in…

Mirlatia arcuata, a newly discovered moth species in Europe, reveals gaps in our knowledge of European Lepidoptera. Its unique characteristics and the mystery surrounding its habitat and adaptation highlight the ongoing need for research in this field. Above is an adult male of Mirlatia arcuata. Credit: Hausmann et al.European Lepidoptera, comprising butterflies and moths, are known to have around 11,000 species and are considered well-researched. However, the discovery of a new genus and species within the Geometrid moth…

Tulostoma shaihuludii and an illustration of a ‘Shai-Hulud’ sandworm. Credit: Photo by Péter Finy; illustration by Dániel G. Knapp The researchers were inspired by the appearance and habitat of the fungus, drawing parallels to the iconic sandworms known as ‘Shai-Hulud’ from Frank Herbert’s renowned science fiction novel. A recently discovered species of stalked puffball, a gasteroid fungus, has been named in honor of the ‘Shai-Hulud’ sandworms from Frank Herbert’s famous science fiction series ‘Dune.’ Discovered in…

New research reveals a global increase in tree diseases, impacting species like pines, oaks, and eucalypts the most. The study suggests climate change may be worsening the situation, posing a significant threat to worldwide tree populations and ecosystems. Credit: Andrew V. GoughertyDiseases significantly contribute to tree deaths in forests and urban landscapes. Continuous introductions of new diseases and the ability of pathogens to infect new host species escalate the risks to various tree types. The emergence of…