In the year 2023, the world of science and discovery welcomed several remarkable additions to our understanding of biodiversity. From unique spiders and amphibians to crustaceans and reptiles, researchers unearthed and classified previously unknown species across various ecosystems. These discoveries shed light on the rich tapestry of life on Earth, showcasing the importance of conservation efforts to protect these newfound treasures for future generations to appreciate and study. Here is list of some New species discovered in year 2023.
New species discovered in year 2023
Pest controlling-wasps
In 2023, scientists had an exceptional year of discovery when they found 815 new species, and a whopping 619 of them turned out to be various types of wasps. Dr. John Noyes and Christer Hansson from the Natural History Museum played a significant role in this research.
These new wasps come in stunning metallic colors like blue, purple, and orange. Interestingly, one group of wasps was even named after the famous “Doctor Who” series. Despite their reputation as stingers, wasps play a vital role in controlling pests that harm crops, helping prevent food shortages and protecting ecosystems around the world.
A legless lizard
Scientists discovered a brand new species of legless lizard in Angola in 2023, on the slopes of Serra da Neve mountain. These legless lizards, also called skinks, look like snakes but have some unique features, such as external ear openings and movable eyelids.
What adds to the uniqueness of this discovery is the fact that the Acontias mukwando, as it’s called, possesses a distinctive pink ring around its neck, a feature uncommon among most skinks. This mountain, with its cool and humid environment, serves as a sanctuary for unique plants and animals, underscoring the significance of preserving such isolated habitats where ongoing discoveries of new species continue to take place.
Puzzling plants
In Mexico, scientists teamed up with Academy of Sciences researchers to study a unique succulent growing on cliffs in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. Known as “da’npakal” by the local O’dam Indigenous community, it has bald leaves and stems. The scientists named it Pachyphytum odam to honor the community.
In Costa Rica, researchers corrected a 150-year-old mix-up about a flowering plant. They discovered Stenostephanus purpureus, distinct from a Mexican species. The new plant lacks a flat petal used by insects for pollen collection and is likely pollinated by hummingbirds. The mix-up was only noticed when comparing live plant images with dried species.
Kodama jujutsu
In 2023, scientists discovered two new species of tiny squids, each about a centimeter in size. They live near the shores of Okinawa Island in Japan’s Ryukyu archipelago. One of them, called Kodama jujutsu, can be identified by the number of suckers on its arms.
These little squids exhibit skilled hunting abilities, especially at night when they actively pursue shrimp. They primarily inhabit coral reefs and seagrass beds. It’s intriguing to highlight that their name “Kodama” originates from a tree spirit symbolizing healthy forests in Japanese folklore, while “jujutsu” derives from a martial art involving grappling, resembling the squid’s technique for capturing its prey.
Gekko mizoramensis
In 2023, scientists named a new species of parachute gecko Gekko mizoramensis after the Indian state of Mizoram, where they found it. These geckos have skin flaps around their head, body, legs, and tail, providing them with the unique ability to reduce their shadow for camouflage and glide between trees like tiny parachutes.
Prior to this discovery, researchers had only identified 13 species of parachute geckos, all originating from Southeast Asia. Researchers have observed this new species in northeastern India and Bangladesh, especially in close proximity to human settlements, introducing an intriguing addition to the gecko family.
Hipposideros kingstonae
A new species of roundleaf bat was discoverd in 2023 naming it Hipposideros kingstonae in honor of Tigga Kingston, a bat biologist at Texas Tech University. These bats are part of a group of around 70 roundleaf bat species known for their circular nasal apparatus. H. kingstonae differs from its relatives due to its nose-leaf structure and vocal pitch.
Researchers found this species during bat surveys in the rainforests of peninsular Thailand and Malaysia. It’s possible that similar bats were previously mistaken for this new species in Borneo. This discovery adds a fascinating addition to the roundleaf bat family.
Stream treefrog (Hyloscirtus tolkieni), Ecuador
Although researchers discovered only a single individual of the Hyloscirtus tolkieni, a unique stream treefrog, they were able to classify it as a new species. This distinction was possible because of its distinct appearance compared to other frogs in the Hyloscirtus genus.
The known habitat of this species presently encompasses the southern eastern slopes of the Cordillera, a section of the Andean mountains situated within Ecuador’s Río Negro-Sopladora National Park. Stream treefrogs typically reside near streams where they breed, and the name ‘tolkieni’ pays tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien, the famous author of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” Scientists noted that the frog’s colors resemble creatures from fantasy worlds.
DiCaprio’s snail-eating snake (Sibon irmelindicaprioae), Panama and Colombia
Researchers found a new species of tree-dwelling snake, naming it DiCaprio’s snail-eating snake (Sibon irmelindicaprioae), in Panama and Colombia. They also distinguished four other new snail-eating snake species. Even though some of its habitat has converted into pasture, this species is not undergoing rapid decline and experts classify it as Near Threatened, mainly due to its existence in various untouched forest areas.
Scientists have located this species in 16 distinct locations, including an isolated population in Colombia’s Cordillera mountain range, which may emerge as a distinct species following additional genetic analysis. The snake’s name pays tribute to Irmelin DiCaprio, the mother of actor and conservationist Leonardo DiCaprio.
Capropodocerus kamaitachi
In 2023, scientists discovered a new species named Capropodocerus kamaitachi, a tiny amphipod crustacean measuring only 5.4mm in length. This creature, a cousin to sandhoppers, features large clawed appendages that resemble tin openers. These appendages, called gnathopods, serve the dual purpose of handling food and grasping mates for males.
The discovery took place on the seabed, approximately 850 meters deep, off the eastern coast of Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture. This new species is distinctive enough to warrant a new genus name, “Capropodocerus,” combining features of two amphipod families. Its name, “kamaitachi,” draws inspiration from mythical Japanese ghosts that resemble weasels carrying sickles.
Ngoc Linh crocodile newt
These newts measure about 6cm in length, not counting their tails, and researchers can differentiate them from their closest relatives by their distinct coloration and the presence of knob-like glandular warts.
They are exclusive to the Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, found at elevations between 1,800m and 2,300m. These creatures tend to hide under decaying logs or in moss near water. The scientific name, Tylototriton ngoclinhensis, combines Greek words for swelling and the sea god Triton, along with the location of its discovery, meaning “lumpy merman from Ngoc Linh.”
