If it crawls, make it feel welcome
The discovery of a new species is cause for excitement, for the longer we live on Earth, the more we discover how little we know. Like consumers in need of a pay day, discovering new species is like a windfall of payday advances, an infusion of currency to the theory that we are never alone.
Lately, scientists have recently discovered a number of previously unknown (or mistaken) species. Hilary Whiteman reports for CNN that 10 previously unknown plant and animal species (including the world’s longest bug, the phobeaticus chani) have grabbed the limelight for their 15 minutes.
“Ghost slugs and pint-sized snakes”
Phobaeticus chani made the cut of the 10 most exciting new species discovered in 2008, according to the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University, as well as an international committee.
“Most people do not realize just how incomplete our knowledge of Earth’s species is or the steady rate at which taxonomists are exploring that diversity,” says Quentin Wheeler, director and entomologist for the International Institute for Species Exploration. “We are surrounded by such an exuberance of species diversity that we too often take for granted.”
“Pint-sized” is the operative phrase when it comes to the recent winners, as they are indeed small. That could be why it’s taken so long for us to notice them. Of the entries in the parade, the smallest is a kind of bacteria that lives in hairspray (Microbacterium hataononis). Thank Japanese scientists for discovering them. The longest living insect in the world is the aforementioned phobaeticus chani, also known as Chan’s megastick. It was discovered on the island of Borneo, Malaysia. Interestingly, the previous record-holder for longest insect was also discovered on Borneo, the phobaeticus kirbyi. That one was more than 14 inches long. Phobaeticus chani blows little kirbyi out of the water at 22.3 inches in length. Think about that… a bug about as long as two 12-inch rulers. Wow.
Wait, there’s more
Witness tiny seahorses (hippocampus satomiae) that were found near Derawan Island by Kalimantan, Indonesia. They measure over a centimeter in height and length. Then there’s the world’s smallest snake, the Barbados Threadsnake (Leptotyphlops carlae). Discovered in St. Joseph Parish, the tiny snake is only 10 centimeters long. See how it stacks up to a quarter.
If you like fish both living and dead, you’ll be happy to know that they’re covered, too. The fish fossil is of a fish in the process of giving birth about 380 million years ago. John Long, who discovered the fossil, named it after his mother “Josie.”
And in the garden aisle
You’ll find the ghost slug (Selenochlamys ysbryda) of Cardiff, Wales. How you miss a pale white slug is beyond me, as it does stand out. Perhaps it emits toxic fumes that blind gardeners. Going back to Malaysia, there’s a species of snail (opisthostoma vermiculum… check out the shell!) Then there’s a gigantic new species and genus of palm (tahina spectablilis) which produces one large flower (an enormous sex organ), then quickly dies. Less than 100 of them were discovered in a remote area of northwest Madagascar. Finally, there’s the first recorded instance of a caffeine-free coffee plant from Central Africa (coffea charrieriana). Apparently they don’t like to get edgy in Cameroon. Does Africa need more strife, I ask you?
Understanding the history of life
Competition for the top 10 spots was stiff, according to Wheeler. To show you how difficult it was, the year 2007 boasted more than 18,500 new species discoveries. There were even more in 2008. Wheeler believes that the discovery rate will only increase as new tools become available.
“Charting the species of the world and their unique attributes are essential parts of understanding the history of life,” Wheeler said. “It is in our own self-interest as we face the challenges of living on a rapidly changing planet.”
In order for discoveries like this to continue, I advocate the funding of science programs and education. Thankfully, the current American president understands the value of scientific research. Science funding is a pay day for human intellect, payday advances for the future of our species.
Related Video:
Discussion of Phobaeticus Chani and Other New Species On Parade