20 Surprising Species of the Past 20 Years
In this world there are various types of unique animals. Scattered in different parts of the world. Here are 20 Surprising Species of the Past 20 Years.
Return of the Jedi
Photograph courtesy Piotr Naskrecki, Conservation International
Back for an encore after a round of Web stardom as "Yoda bat" last fall, Papua New Guinea's tube-nosed fruit bat has now been named one of the top 20 new or rarely seen species encountered during the first 20 years of Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP), which launched in 1990.
Emperor of the Scorpions
Photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, courtesy Conservation International
Pictured during a 2006 RAP expedition in Ghana, Africa's emperor scorpion is one of the world's biggest—but not baddest.
The 8-inch-long (20-centimeter-long) arachnids are venomou, but their venom isn't particularly harmful to people—and may even be helpful.
It contains compounds currently being tested for use in future drugs to battle heart ailments including arrhythmia, according to Conservation International.
(Watch an emperor scorpion video.)
The 8-inch-long (20-centimeter-long) arachnids are venomou, but their venom isn't particularly harmful to people—and may even be helpful.
It contains compounds currently being tested for use in future drugs to battle heart ailments including arrhythmia, according to Conservation International.
(Watch an emperor scorpion video.)
A Whisker Away From Obscurity
Photograph by Louise Emmons, courtesy Conservation International
A living relative of chinchilla rats found buried alongside humans in ancient Inca tombs, the chinchilla tree rat species was discovered during RAP expeditions in mountains near Peru's Machu Picchu in 1997 and 1998.
More than just a new species, the rat represents an entirely new genus—giving scientists hope that other, similar rat species may still await discovery.
More than just a new species, the rat represents an entirely new genus—giving scientists hope that other, similar rat species may still await discovery.
Composting "Cockroach"
Photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, courtesy Conservation International
Named for its discoverers, the Conservation International blattodean insect was found in 2002 in a single cave in Guinea's Simandoa Range—still the only place this African cockroach relative is known to live.
Conservation International's "new mission is demonstrating that nature provides ecosystem services that benefit humans," Alonso said, noting that the blattodean is a prime example.
Conservation International's "new mission is demonstrating that nature provides ecosystem services that benefit humans," Alonso said, noting that the blattodean is a prime example.
Dinospider
Photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, courtesy Conservation International
Atewa dinospiders are part of an arachnid lineage that's hardly changed in 300 million years—before dinosaurs walked the Earth.
Feeding on tiny termites and ant larvae, the crablike creature lives in Ghana's Atewa Range Forest Reserve, where the species was discovered in 2006. At just 0.4 inch (11 millimeters) wide, the Atewa dinospider is still the biggest living member of its small group of 57 known species.
Feeding on tiny termites and ant larvae, the crablike creature lives in Ghana's Atewa Range Forest Reserve, where the species was discovered in 2006. At just 0.4 inch (11 millimeters) wide, the Atewa dinospider is still the biggest living member of its small group of 57 known species.
Do-gooding Dragon
Photograph by Klaas-Douwe B. Dijkstra, courtesy Conservation International
The Platycypha eliseva dragonfly may live only around the Congo River Basin streams where the new species was found in 2004. If so, those African waters are likely in good health.
Dragonflies are key water-quality indicators, because their offspring, aquatic nymphs, need populations of other insects and aquatic creatures on which to feed.
Dragonflies are key water-quality indicators, because their offspring, aquatic nymphs, need populations of other insects and aquatic creatures on which to feed.
Sticking Points
Photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, courtesy Conservation International
Hailing from Cambodian forests, this large (0.6-inch-long/1.5-centimeter-long) fishhook ant pierces predators with its curved spines, which can also form a sort of home-security system.
“When they get disturbed, they will run all around, and the hooks get stuck together, so they form a kind of dense, defensive mat above the nest. It can be effective though maybe not intentional,” Alonso said.
“When they get disturbed, they will run all around, and the hooks get stuck together, so they form a kind of dense, defensive mat above the nest. It can be effective though maybe not intentional,” Alonso said.
Follow Your Nose
Photograph by Tim Laman, courtesy Conservation International
In a twist on the usual tale, this new species actually found Conservation International scientists, rather than vice versa. The so-called Pinocchio frog turned up on a bag of rice at a RAP expedition campsite in Indonesia's remote Foja Mountains in 2008.
The frog's long nose protuberance stands upright when a male is calling but deflates and hangs downward during inactive times. Scientists are still sorting out the purposes of the unusual appendage.
The frog's long nose protuberance stands upright when a male is calling but deflates and hangs downward during inactive times. Scientists are still sorting out the purposes of the unusual appendage.
The Better to See You With
Photograph by Stephen Richards, courtesy Conservation International
This 6-inch-long( 15-centimeter-long) tree frog has big eyes to boot—the better to survey the high wilderness in Papua New Guinea, where the new species was found in 2008 next to a mountain river.
Like other species of the Nyctimystes genus, the newfound frog lays eggs under the stones of clear, running waters. After tadpoles hatch, they use enormous sucker-like mouths to attach themselves to streambed rocks and graze without being swept away.
Like other species of the Nyctimystes genus, the newfound frog lays eggs under the stones of clear, running waters. After tadpoles hatch, they use enormous sucker-like mouths to attach themselves to streambed rocks and graze without being swept away.
Heavyweight Chomp
Photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, courtesy Conservation International
Boasting a leg span of nearly a foot (30 centimeters) and tipping the scales at some 6 ounces (170 grams), Guyana's goliath bird-eating spider is the heaviest spider species in the world. (See video of the biggest spider in the world.)
Despite their name, these South Americanrain forest residents feast mostly on small invertebrates, though they've been known to tackle larger fare such as lizards and venomous snakes.
Despite their name, these South Americanrain forest residents feast mostly on small invertebrates, though they've been known to tackle larger fare such as lizards and venomous snakes.
Goooooooooola!
Photograph by David Monticelli, courtesy Conservation International
This gola malimbe bird was spotted in southeastern Guinea's Diecke Forest, home to one of the three known populations of the species.
The bird is among thousands of rarely seen species—1,300 entirely new to science—that RAP surveys have spotted over the past 20 years.
The bird is among thousands of rarely seen species—1,300 entirely new to science—that RAP surveys have spotted over the past 20 years.
Ambush Predator
Photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, courtesy Conservation International
Entomologist Piotr Naskrecki discovered, named, and photographed the so-called RAP katydid, or Brachyamytta rapidoaestima, on a 2002 survey in Ghana and Guinea. The ambush predators typically cling to the undersides of leaves and wait for unfortunate insects to land above.
Eyes Without a Face
Photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, courtesy Conservation International
Spotted and photographed in Guyana's Acarai Mountains in 2006, the rare peacock katydid uses its unique hues to deter predators in two very different ways.
At rest, the katydid resembles a dead leaf. If approached, however, the insect reveals eyelike wing spots and jumps excitedly, apparently to mimic a large bird head pecking at its would-be attacker.
At rest, the katydid resembles a dead leaf. If approached, however, the insect reveals eyelike wing spots and jumps excitedly, apparently to mimic a large bird head pecking at its would-be attacker.
Shocking Discovery
Photograph by Gerald Allen, courtesy Conservation International
Discovered in Indonesia in 2006, this new species of flasher wrasse, Paracheilinus nursalim, is notable for a colorful courtship ritual. Male fish flash "electric" colors (pictured) to get the attention of nearby females.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Males don't mate and run, however—father fish are known to guard eggs and sometimes even larvae.
(See pictures of the "best" animal dads.)
Males don't mate and run, however—father fish are known to guard eggs and sometimes even larvae.
(See pictures of the "best" animal dads.)
Sympathy for the Devil
Piotr Naskrecki
Pictured on the African island of Madagascar in 1998, this devilish-looking lizard is the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, which was first described by scientists in 1888.
Despite their unique camouflage, these nocturnal, tree-dwelling geckos—the smallest of the 12 leaf-tailed species that make up the Uroplatus genus—often fall into the hands of collectors.
By 2004, the effects of the trade had helped land all Uroplatus species on a list of the ten species most threatened by the illegal wildlife trade, compiled by the international conservation group WWF.
Despite their unique camouflage, these nocturnal, tree-dwelling geckos—the smallest of the 12 leaf-tailed species that make up the Uroplatus genus—often fall into the hands of collectors.
By 2004, the effects of the trade had helped land all Uroplatus species on a list of the ten species most threatened by the illegal wildlife trade, compiled by the international conservation group WWF.
Far-out Find
Photograph by Jessica Deichmann, courtesy Conservation International
At home in the rain forest canopy, the "ET salamander" was first discovered on a 2009 RAP expedition to the tepuis, or flat-topped mountains, of southern Ecuador.
Rather than the incredibly long forefingers of its alien namesake, the South American animal boasts webbed feet, which are used not for swimming but for gripping leaves while climbing.
Another out-of-this-world adaptation: the ability to breathe through skin—no lungs required.
Rather than the incredibly long forefingers of its alien namesake, the South American animal boasts webbed feet, which are used not for swimming but for gripping leaves while climbing.
Another out-of-this-world adaptation: the ability to breathe through skin—no lungs required.
Sweet Beak
Photograph by Bruce Beeler, courtesy Conservation International
The wattled smoky honeyeater was found in 2005 in Indonesia's Foja Mountains, where the new species lives at lofty altitudes some 5,445 feet (1,650 meters) above sea level.
As its name suggests, the honeyeater does indeed eat nectar, and so plays an important role in pollinating flowers. Despite the bird's importance, the species maintains a low profile and has rarely been heard vocalizing.
As its name suggests, the honeyeater does indeed eat nectar, and so plays an important role in pollinating flowers. Despite the bird's importance, the species maintains a low profile and has rarely been heard vocalizing.
Orally Fixated
Photograph by Phil Willink, courtesy Conservation International
This new species of suckermouth catfish, Pseudancistrus kwinti, can attach itself to mid-stream objects even in fast-flowing waters of Suriname's Coppename River, where the species was first found in 2005.
The South American fish uses its mouth and teeth to feed on a smorgasbord of invertebrates, detritus, and algae by rotating its upper and lower jaws to scrape the substrate for tasty morsels.
(See pictures of a new species of suckermouth catfish species, which eats wood.)
The South American fish uses its mouth and teeth to feed on a smorgasbord of invertebrates, detritus, and algae by rotating its upper and lower jaws to scrape the substrate for tasty morsels.
(See pictures of a new species of suckermouth catfish species, which eats wood.)
Ant of a Different Stripe
Photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, courtesy Conservation International
This tiger ant species was spotted in Papua New Guinea in 2009.
"It's fascinating that it's striped like a tiger," Alonso said. "When [you look] inside the rotting twigs where it lives, you can see why—the twig looks like that too, because parts of it are rotten or moldy, so it really blends in."
The tiny ant is also a formidable predator for its size, using its lightning-quick mandibles to snare small invertebrates. Ants also use their jaws to carry their own pupae, as seen in this image.
"It's fascinating that it's striped like a tiger," Alonso said. "When [you look] inside the rotting twigs where it lives, you can see why—the twig looks like that too, because parts of it are rotten or moldy, so it really blends in."
The tiny ant is also a formidable predator for its size, using its lightning-quick mandibles to snare small invertebrates. Ants also use their jaws to carry their own pupae, as seen in this image.
Walking Shark
Photograph by Gerald Allen, courtesy Conservation International
A walking shark prowls the floor of Indonesia's Cenderawasih Bay in 2006. Though the new species can swim, it often use its fins to "walk" along reefs and feast on small fish, crabs, snails, and shrimp. (Video: Watch the walking shark walk.)
One of the biggest sensations of the first 20 years of RAP research, the walking shark intrigues scientists as well as the public. Biologists believe that walking sharks may be models for the first animals that made the transition from sea to land.
One of the biggest sensations of the first 20 years of RAP research, the walking shark intrigues scientists as well as the public. Biologists believe that walking sharks may be models for the first animals that made the transition from sea to land.
Ref : National Geographic
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