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Scientists Have Discovered 71 New Species In 2019 And Here’s How 25 Of Them Look
We’ve mapped the world, discovered all the continents (though Atlantis remains elusive), and sometimes it feels like there’s nothing new to find on our little blue planet. But Earth is still full of mysteries and surprises!
Scientists find new plant and animal species nearly every day and it proves that there are still adventures to be had in the deep corners of the world. So if you’ve ever harbored ambitions of being an Indiana Jones-esque scientist, your dream can still come true. In 2019, more than a dozen researchers from the California Academy of Sciences added a stunning 71 new species to our family tree.
Among these freshly found species are 17 fish, 15 geckos, 8 flowering plants, 6 sea slugs, 5 arachnids, 4 eels, 3 ants, 3 skinks, 2 skates, 2 wasps, 2 mosses, 2 corals, and 2 lizards. They were found across 5 continents and 3 oceans. And while we applaud the fact that there are more species of gecko on Planet Earth, we’re worried about there being more species of wasp, too.
We’ve included some of the very best photos of these new species, so scroll down, upvotes your favorites, and let everyone know in the comments what you thought about each one. And be sure to read Bored Panda’s interview with a representative of the California Academy of Sciences below.
More info: CalAdacemy.org | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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#1
Siphamia Arnazae
The cat-eyed cardinalfish, is a new species of cardinalfish from Papua New Guinea
Jacob-Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 6 years ago
The eyes for sure look painted on. But you are right it's beautiful.
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Grace Marraffa 6 years ago
Those colors are beautiful and those eyes are so pretty and HUGE!!! My kittens eyes are that big.
SacredPistachio 6 years ago
It looks like it has seen some things and has been eternally traumatised...
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#2
Cirrhilabrus Wakanda
The Vibranium fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus wakanda) is a species of fairy wrasse from the Western Indian Ocean
Kioh81 6 years ago
It's up to the person that discovered to name it. They can choose pretty much anything as the last part of the scientific name. A lot if them choose a variation of their own name, but every once in awhile you get one that has a sense of humor
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How Terribly Unfortunate 6 years ago (edited)
It has such a cool iridescent shine. So beautiful.
#3
Cordylus Phonolithos
Cordylus phonolithos is a new species of girdled lizard from southwestern Angola
glorytherainwing 6 years ago
I want this and i want to name it thorn the new sandwing queen in Wings Of Fire
According to a representative of the California Academy of Sciences, this year’s list of new species was “a little lower” than usual, but “full of mighty finds.”
“Since 2010, Academy scientists have described 1,375 species—quite a number! Here are numbers from previous years this decade:
2010 (113 [new species])
2011 (140)
2012 (189)
2013 (91)
2014 (221)
2015 (103)
2016 (133)
2017 (85)
2018 (229)
2019 (71).”
#4
Tomiyamichthys Emilyae
Tomiyamichthys emilyae is a new species of shrimpgoby (Gobiidae) from North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Hendra Lim 6 years ago
i seriously thought that the big dorsal fin is a rock at first glance (looks like the fish got a rock on it's head)
#5
Chromoplexaura Cordellbankensis
Chromoplexaura cordellbankensis is a new species of deep-sea coral, first spotted by Williams 50 miles northwest of San Francisco in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Abbass Muhammad 6 years ago
I guess it is in the wrong company to show it's wilder side. A bit tame after the fish and lizards. Just a bit of background furniture for them really.
#6
Nucras Aurantiaca
Nucras aurantiaca is a wall lizard found in South Africa
glowworm2 6 years ago
"If I reach just a little bit further, I can touch my tail with my tongue!"
The Academy representative told Bored Panda that “it takes years of training, collaboration with colleagues and local residents in a given region, and species expertise for scientists to properly identify and collect species in the wild.”
“As with many species—like twilight zone reef fish and insects—there is sometimes only a tiny window of a few seconds for a scientist to act quickly and collect a specimen in the wild. It can take years of training and support to help that scientist make important, well-informed, split-second decisions in the field!”
#7
Janolus Tricellarioides
Janolus Tricellarioides is a sea slug found in the Philippines
#8
Ecsenius Springeri
Ecsenius springeri is a new species of blenny
Jacob-Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 6 years ago (edited)
Best comment ever ruth
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#9
Justicia Alanae
Justicia alanae is a new species of flowering plant from Mexico
Classifying new species isn’t without its obstacles and things like lack of funding or training can seriously hinder us from solving life’s mysteries. “It's especially hard to secure funding for maintaining collections staff, taking adequate care of specimens, and training/retaining new scientists with the expertise to confirm that a new species discovery is truly new to science.”
#10
Eviota Gunawanae
Eviota Gunawanae is a new microendemic dwarfgoby from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia
Francis 6 years ago
i'm sorry but i laughed at "Fakfak Peninsula" :D not only because of fakfak but i also misread peninsula as penisula :D i've got the humor of a 12year old LOL
Abbass Muhammad 6 years ago
Not even that name does justice to such a glossy little masterpiece. Goby's round here are mostly just clear.
#11
Lola Konavoka
Lola Konavoka is a new species of cave-obligate harvestman
Ruth Mayfly 6 years ago
I am fascinated and slightly repelled by animals which are see-through.
Spikey Bunny 6 years ago
Usually the person who discovered it... I don't know why you're getting downvoted for asking this. Mean Pandas!
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Tyler the fabulous killjoy 6 years ago
The future is bulletproof, the aftermath is secondary, its time to do it now and do it loud, killjoys, make some noise. (This is a reference and yes it has to do with the spider)
Kurisurin Sutaringu 6 years ago
I love this song, but what does "Nanana" by MCR have yo do with this spider?
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Donna Leske 6 years ago
"Well, I'm not the world's most physical guy But when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine Oh my Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Well, I'm not dumb but I can't understand Why she walked like a woman but talked like a man Oh my Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola"
#12
Janolus Flavoannulata
Janolus flavoanulatus is a sea slug found in the Philippines
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 6 years ago
Sea slugs are some of the most fascinating and flamboyant creatures in the ocean. Look up “blue glaucus” and tell me that it doesn’t look like some small dragon.
#13
Trimma Putrai
Trimma putrai is a new species of goby from western Indonesia
Abbass Muhammad 6 years ago
Yep, another awesome pimped up Gobi. Why anything else even bothers to attend unless they speak Gobi is beyond me. That Skate may as well have been a paper bag.
Hendra Lim 6 years ago
trimma putrai? sounds like "terima putra" or "terima putri" which means "receiving son" and "receiving daughter" in Indonesia
#14
Vanderhorstia Dawnarnallae
Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae is a new species of shrimp goby recently discovered in the far eastern reaches of Indonesia also known as West Papua
Abbass Muhammad 6 years ago
Those eyes are as focused and look as menacing as any snake or cat's. Got to be a predator.
#15
Dipturus Lamillai
Dipturus lamillai is a long-snout skate from the Falkland Islands
Ashley Kellers 6 years ago
arent these the fish that people make out are faeries when they're all dried up?
glorytherainwing 6 years ago
nothing is spelled wrong when your naming a new animal
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#16
Protoptilum Nybakkeni
Protoptilum Nybakkeni is a new species of coral
glorytherainwing 6 years ago
for those of u who dont know what a pussywillow is, here it is. when you come across one while the buts are still white, RUB THEM AGAINST YOUR FACE BC THEY'RE SOFT AF Pussy-Will...cdd6de.jpg 
Spikey Bunny 6 years ago
I'm just glad there are new corals!!! Hopefully they are adapting to our messed up oceans.
#17
Hoplolatilus Andamanensis
Hoplolatilus andamanensis, a new species of sand tilefish from the Andaman Islands
Abbass Muhammad 6 years ago
The odd fish out in a bunch of fancy Gobi's. I guess you've got to be looking pretty sharp just to be in such company.
#18
Gravesia Serratifolia
Gravesia serratifolia is a flowering plant found only in Madagascar's Marojejy National Park
#19
Trembleya Altoparaisensis
Trembleya altoparaisensis is a plant with white flowers found in Brazil's Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park's canyons
#20
Myrmecicultor Chihuahuensis
Myrmecicultor chihuahuensis is an ant-loving spider family from the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico
glowworm2 6 years ago
Aw! I actually think this one is adorable. It looks like a gummy spider!
Ninja Kitty 6 years ago
yea, like his face looks like chocolate candies and he is a gummy!!
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Purple light 6 years ago
Ant-loving:because it loves an ant-sandwich in the morning or, because it is in a relation with a cute ant?
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 6 years ago
He looks permanently shocked. Also, I’m curious to know how small this species is.
Abbass Muhammad 6 years ago
Ant loving spider? Is that like "beast love"? Do the spiders have a cross species romantic interest in ants?
Sarah O'Dwyer 6 years ago
Did anyone else's minds instantly go "Chihuahua-der" after they saw where it was from?
#21
Cinetomorpha Sur
This is a species of spiders araneomorph the family of oonopidae. This species is found in Mexico, Baja California Sur and Baja California on Ángel de la Guarda
Linda Matheny 6 years ago
That's funny, it didn't cross my mind until you said pistachio! It definitely does look like that.
Load More Replies... Abbass Muhammad 6 years ago
Erk. Better that one had stayed undiscovered. Can we toss it back and make like we never saw this one?
#22
Janolus Incrustans
This new slug species is known only from the Marshall Islands and Indonesia
Abbass Muhammad 6 years ago
Yes and even they barely even met the guy that one time and forgot he wasn't just an old decaying gummi bear.
#23
Chromis Bowesi
Chromis bowesi is a species of damselfish. This species was first described in 2019 by Luiz A. Rocha and colleagues discovered and known from Verde Island, Batangas Bay and Puerto Galera Bay, in the Philippines
rhyan lumilay 6 years ago
I'm happy that 3 of them are discovered here in Philippines. Actually there are tons of bodies of water and islands here that still needs to cover just to find new species.
#24
Liopropoma Incandescens
Liopropoma incandescens is a new species of basslet fish
#25
Madrella Amphora
Madrella amphora is a sea slug that mimics snail eggs as a way to hide from would-be predators
Hendra Lim 6 years ago
i just searched on google, lot's of fish can and will eat snail eggs. then is it a way to attract it's prey?
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EweAreSewCute 6 years ago
Your name screams dude and it doesn't tell in a name what gender try ms. glory or something and I guess ur so obsessed with Male parts because ur deprived of them then. Must be if you think that they look the same then your just a dumb b***h who needs a good f*****g. Maybe swipe right this time and go get laid. Educate yourself on how a d**k looks. F**k if I was this immature and giggled at that s**t I'd be single too.
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What do you think ?
Yuri 6 years ago
It is very cool, new species, new life. But I cry for those who disappeared forever in 2019: 1. The Hawaiian snail Achatinella apexfulva, 2. Australia's Bramble Cay melomys, 3. Sumatran Rhino, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, 4. Bahama nuthatch, Sitta pusilla insularis..........
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Lilli 6 years ago
I think it's so interesting how we are still finding new species! Especially since humans have only explored 5% of Earth's oceans.
glorytherainwing 6 years ago
I think its interesting how we are still finding new species in the ocean considering how polluted it is. 🐠🦑🦞 (ಥ_ಥ) <(recycle more!!!)
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Terd Fergison 6 years ago
Now this is a fantastic article! An article that showcases the wonder and exquisite beauty of nature and science. Bored Panda definitely needs more articles like this.
Countervail 6 years ago
Maybe call them "previously unknown" instead of "new?" It makes it sound like it didn't exist until a human cataloged it.
The True Red Panda 6 years ago
Technically speaking, these aren't new species. They have exsisted for a long time, but they are new to us. However, that's not to say I don't find all of this fasinating.
Tiny Dynamine 6 years ago
I'd just like to point out the error in semantics. None of these are new species. They've probably been around longer than humans have. Newly-discovered would be the better term.
The Girl on Fire 6 years ago
The fact that almost every single one of these is an ocean species shows how little we truly know about the ocean!
Electric Ed 6 years ago
Currently about 100-1000 per million species per year go extinct, according to first hit on google (National Geographic). Seems before human intervention the value was 0-1. There are 1.9 million known species, and the amount of unknowns are estimated to be "in millions". So 100-2000 unknown species probably go extinct yearly. Unless unknown species die more easy because e.g. they have smaller populations.
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Yuri 6 years ago
It is very cool, new species, new life. But I cry for those who disappeared forever in 2019: 1. The Hawaiian snail Achatinella apexfulva, 2. Australia's Bramble Cay melomys, 3. Sumatran Rhino, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, 4. Bahama nuthatch, Sitta pusilla insularis..........
Load More Replies... Lilli 6 years ago
I think it's so interesting how we are still finding new species! Especially since humans have only explored 5% of Earth's oceans.
glorytherainwing 6 years ago
I think its interesting how we are still finding new species in the ocean considering how polluted it is. 🐠🦑🦞 (ಥ_ಥ) <(recycle more!!!)
Load More Replies... Terd Fergison 6 years ago
Now this is a fantastic article! An article that showcases the wonder and exquisite beauty of nature and science. Bored Panda definitely needs more articles like this.
Countervail 6 years ago
Maybe call them "previously unknown" instead of "new?" It makes it sound like it didn't exist until a human cataloged it.
The True Red Panda 6 years ago
Technically speaking, these aren't new species. They have exsisted for a long time, but they are new to us. However, that's not to say I don't find all of this fasinating.
Tiny Dynamine 6 years ago
I'd just like to point out the error in semantics. None of these are new species. They've probably been around longer than humans have. Newly-discovered would be the better term.
The Girl on Fire 6 years ago
The fact that almost every single one of these is an ocean species shows how little we truly know about the ocean!
Electric Ed 6 years ago
Currently about 100-1000 per million species per year go extinct, according to first hit on google (National Geographic). Seems before human intervention the value was 0-1. There are 1.9 million known species, and the amount of unknowns are estimated to be "in millions". So 100-2000 unknown species probably go extinct yearly. Unless unknown species die more easy because e.g. they have smaller populations.
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