The world is full of countless species. While some are known to us, we absolutely have no idea about numerous others. It’s always a thing of pride for us, humans when we discover a new-to-science species or create hybrid species. And the past decade, for that matter, has been a decade of discoveries. We have compiled a list of the top ten recently found animal species. Keep reading to find out more:
Wakanda Fish, Africa
One of the recently discovered animal species, the Wakanda Fish is located in the less-explored African reefs. After this revelation, the Wakanda nation doesn’t only exist in the Marvel comic world, but in real life too. The fish was found in the 260-feet below secretive reefs of the Indian Ocean and was given the name Cirrhilabrus Wakanda or vibranium fairy wrasse. The deep purple color of their scales is profound, so much so that it is visible even after preservation. The Wakanda fish lives primarily in a dark coral reef known as the ‘Twilight Zone’ Reef, which is located near the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean.
Epinephelus fuscomarginatus, Australia
Epinephelus fuscomarginatus is the next recently found animal species to top our list. This particular discovery was made when Jeff Johnson, an ichthyologist from the Queensland Museum found a new species of fish in an Australian market. It was around 15 years ago when Jeff had heard of a secret grouper species for the first time. Since then, he’s been trying to find more about it. In 2017, Johnson received a photograph of a grouper and literally went looking for it until finally tracking it down in a fish market. He bought the other type of fishes too. After much comparison, Jeff eventually identified Epinephelus fuscomarginatus as a new species
Mini mum, Mini Scule and Mini Ature, Madagascar
The freshly found Mini Mum, Mini Scule, and Mini Ature are these extremely tiny frog species. They were later uncovered in Madagascar. While all of these three are pretty minute and are only a few millimeters in length, Mini Mum is considered as one of the world’s smallest frogs known to humankind. They all belong to a genus called Mini, which too, is totally new to science. According to researchers, the new frog species is already in threat. Today, Mini Mum is only found in Manombo Special Reserve, Southeast Madagascar.
Niemitz’s tarsier, Indonesia
Discovered by the scientists Carsten Niemitz and Alexandra Nietsch in the Togean Islands of Sulawesi in Indonesia, the Niemitz Tarsier is a new type of species. It was first spotted in 1993, but almost took 25 years of detailed study including DNA analysis and vocalization. A paper published in 2019 finally described Neimitz Tarsier as a separate species. For ages, the locals had their own names for it such as podi, tangkasi, and bunsing. The present name, Neimitz Tarsier was given in honor of the scientist Tarsius niemitzi.
The Mount Gaoligong flying squirrel, China
The Mount Gaoligong flying squirrel, scientifically known as Biswamoyopterus gaoligongensis, is a new species of the giant flying squirrel found in Yunan, China. It was discovered last year by Quan Li and his team from the Kunming Institute of Zoology. They are extremely rare and one of the most wanted species around the world. Some of the other giant flying squirrels that belong to the same genus Biswamoyopterus include Biswamoyopterus Namdapha from India (seen only once in 1981), and Biswamoyopterus Laoensis from Laos (spotted in 2012).
The Arunachal Pit Viper, India
The Arunachal Pit Viper is a new addition to the venomous pit viper species that was recently found in India. It was discovered in May 2016 by Rohan Pandit, a wildlife researcher along with his companion Wangchu Phiang, a member of the indigenous Bugun tribe. It was while exploring Arunachal Pradesh’s biodiversity when they hit on a snake among leaves. Pandit, being a wildlife researcher, knew the snake belonged to the pit viper species, but was something new and unusual. He captured the snake and after profound research, declared it to be a distinct species. It was then named as The Arunachal Pit Viper or Trimeresurus arunachalensis.
The American Pocket Shark, Mexico
The American Pocket Shark, scientifically known as Mollisquama mississippiensis, happens to be the world’s second known pocket shark species. It was discovered in 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico. The name, Pocket Shark is given as this shark has small pocket-like glands, and not for its small size. These newly-found pocket sharks appear to be light-producing organisms that glow in the dark. Their light-producing organs are commonly called photophores.
Uroplatus finaritra, Madagascar
The newly discovered leaf-mimicking lizard known as Uroplatus finaritra is from Madagascar. They belong to the genus Uroplatus and are a master of camouflage. They are capable of changing their body shape and colors in order to unite themselves with the surrounding dried leaves. Uroplatus finaritra is only found in the Marojey National Park located in the north-east region of Madagascar. These new species have a triangular head and a leaf-cut tail. They resemble the satanic leaf-tailed gecko species, and for this reason, are subject to illegal pet trade worldwide.
Vespamantoi da wherleyi, Peru
Vespamantoi da wherleyi is a recently discovered species that was first spotted by researchers in 2013. Prior to that, Praying Mantises in brown and green color was the only species known to the world. In addition to the praying mantises, the new orange-red praying mantis was observed near the Amazon River, Northern Peru. They belong to the genus Vespamantoida. They are believed to mimic a wasp in the way of its movement as well as the bright color combination.
Munduruku Marmoset, Brazil
The Amazon forest is home to numerous known and unknown species. The fresh addition to the infamous marmoset species, Munduruku Marmoset lives in the Amazon Forest, Brazil. After a thorough survey, the researchers discovered a group of three new marmosets along with white tails, between the Jamanxim and Tapajos rivers in Brazil. Like the white tail, white feet, and white forearms variety is extremely rare, scientists classified and declared it as a totally new species. This new discovery, Mundruku Marmoset is already an endangered species, they are only found in a specific part of the forest and are in threat.