A vampire hedgehog, a pygmy pipehorse and a”blob-headed” fish were among the hundreds of new species identified in 2024.
The variety of species identified was quite eclectic and names for the new species crossed a broad spectrum of locations and formations — some even inspired by politicians or celebrities.
A new plant bug species was named after Vice President Kamala Harris (P. kamalaharrisae) and another after Harrison Ford (P. harrisonfordi) for their commitments to climate and conservation science, said California Academy of Sciences researcher Brad Balukjian, who introduced 17 new species in the Pseudoloxops family from French Polynesia.
Actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio had a new species of snake named after him. Researchers discovered the small copper-colored snake in the Himalayas and named the species Anguiculus dicaprioi.
A new pygmy pipehorse species C. nkosi, named after the local Zulu word for “chief.”
Richard Smith, California Academy of Sciences
Locations where scientists discovered these species included Peru, the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Greater Mekong region in South Asia. The California Academy of Sciences said their scientists made findings across six continents and three oceans, which led to describing 138 new animal, plant and fungi species.
“Finding and describing new species is vital for understanding the biodiversity of our planet and protecting it from further loss,” said virologist Shannon Bennett, chief of science for the California Academy of Sciences.
The number of new species identified in 2024 cannot be tallied or determined by one list. Researchers present their findings in various papers, conferences and among the scientific community. Inclusion is made tricker because discoveries can be made by anyone, anywhere, but describing and identifying a new species requires a scientific process.
That process involves study and analysis of the new specimen and similar organisms, and then assigning the species a new name. A species can be discovered, but may not necessarily be described until years later.
A Trapania franae was among the new species described in 2024.
California Academy of Sciences
Bennett told CBS News that when scientists describe a new species, they liken it to “a coming out ball.” For the first time, Bennett said, the species is correctly identified and finally has its place in the world.
Regardless, Bennett said “scientists estimate that we’ve identified only one-tenth of all species on Earth.”
Here are some of the 2024 highlights.
Vampire hedgehog, a soft-furred hedgehog with “fang-like teeth”
According to a report from WWF, 234 species were identified this year in the Greater Mekong region, which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Among them was Hylomys macarong, a vampire hedgehog. The soft-furred hedgehog with fang-like teeth inspired its scientific name. The word Ma cà rồng is Vietnamese for “vampire.”
This new species of gymnure – furry members of the hedgehog family – originates from Vietnam, » …