ESF Releases List of Top 10 New Species of 2016

Posted on May 24, 2016

The International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) has released its list of the top ten new species for 2016. The IISE was established by State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). The list is compiled annually.

This year's list includes a new species of giant Galapagos tortoise, a ruby red sea dragon, an isopod that builds mud shelters for itself, a damselfly, a beetle named after Paddington Bear, and a carnivorous sundew. There is even a new ape and a new hominin species.

Dr. Quentin Wheeler, ESF president and founding director of the IISE, says in a statement, "The rate of description of species is effectively unchanged since before World War II. The result is that species are disappearing at a rate at least equal to that of their discovery. We can only win this race to explore biodiversity if we pick up the pace. In so doing we gather irreplaceable evidence of our origins, discover clues to more efficient and sustainable ways to meet human needs, and arm ourselves with fundamental knowledge essential for wide-scale conservation success."

Here is the list of Top Ten New Species

Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis donfaustoi)
Giant Sundew (Drosera magnifica)
Hominin (Homo naledi)
Isopod (Iuiuniscus iuiuensis)
Anglerfish (Lasiognathus dinema)
Seadragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea)
Tiny Beetle (Phytotelmatrichis osopaddington)
New Primate (Pliobates cataloniae)
Flowering Tree (Sirdavidia solannona)
Sparklewing (Umma gumma)

You can find information about all ten new species and photographs here on the ESF's dedicated Top 10 New Species website. Here is a video about this year's ten selected species:

ANIMALS