Hundreds (and Hundreds!) of New Species Recognized

Australia recently announced the recognition of 750 new species.

“We are pleased to invest in this critical taxonomy research to protect our vulnerable and threatened species. Otherwise, we wouldn’t know that they exist or the threats they face,” explains Tanya Plibersek, Australia’s Minister for the Environment and Water.

In this hotspot of biodiversity, it is expected that as much as 70 per cent of Australia’s native species have yet to be recognized. Investing in critical taxonomy work ensures that not only are the species recognized but that they can also be protected. The 750 latest species will be added to the Australian National Species List, where some 150,000 species already have a home. Among the most recent 750 include the western laughing tree frog, cracking-clay Pilbara Planigale, and an orb-weaving spider, among many others. Moreover, the Australian government approved a $2 million grant spread across 14 projects to ensure that more species are soon named, classified, and protected.