Deep-sea creatures and ‘accordion-like' animals: See latest new species
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.
Learn more about some recent new species discoveries:
'Large'-headed creature with spiny skin found on Nepal peak. It's a new species
In the remote mountains of Nepal, researchers have identified a new species of frog known as the Khumbu Himal lazy toad, or Scutiger khumbu. This medium-sized toad, found in the Khumbu region, is distinguished by its large, flat head and spiny skin. The discovery highlights the rich amphibian diversity within the Himalayan cloud forests and suggests the possibility of 'even more undiscovered' species. | Published May 8 | Read More |
Deep-sea creature with 'massive eyes' discovered in canyon. It's a new species
A new species of octopus, the Carnarvon flapjack octopus, has been discovered in the depths of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Australia. This gelatinous creature, known for its massive eyes and long arms, was found during an expedition by the CSIRO. The octopus inhabits underwater canyons at depths of 3,400 to 5,000 feet. | Published May 13 | Read More |
Divers catch 'accordion-like' creature off coast of Spain. It's a new species
Off the coast of Galicia, Spain, divers have discovered a new species of ribbon worm named Pararosa vigarae, or the accordion worm. This unique marine worm can contract its body to one-fourth of its full size and is known for its venomous nature. The species was named in honor of the senior author's wife, Rosa Vigara. | Published May 7 | Read More |
Clawed black-eyed creature found hiding under rock in Zambia. It's a new species
In the woodlands of northeastern Zambia, scientists have uncovered a new species of lizard called Margarita's scrub lizard, or Nucras margaritae. This moderately sized lizard, with its large black eyes and clawed limbs, was discovered during an ant survey. The species was named in memory of a late colleague, Margarita Metallinou. | Published May 9 | Read More |
Bone discovered in ancient layer of Cuban cave belonged to a new extinct species
In the mountains of western Cuba, researchers have unearthed the bone of a new extinct species of duck, the Cuban teal, or Amazonetta cubensis. This discovery, made in El Abrón Cave, provides insight into the distribution of Amazonetta ducks during the Quaternary period. The Cuban teal is closely related to the Brazilian teal. | Published May 12 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery and sightings of the most unusual and intriguing species. Check back for the latest stories.
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‘Long'-tailed creature gets caught in trap in India forest. It's a new species
Under a cover of darkness, an 'elusive' creature with a 'long' tail flew through a mountain forest in northern India — or tried to, at least. But something enveloped it and trapped it. Scientists checked their net trap and found the 'soft' animal. It turned out to be a new species. A team of researchers visited over a dozen sites in Uttarakhand and the Western Himalayas between 2017 and 2021 to survey wildlife. The region is 'one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on Earth,' but sections of it remain 'insufficiently' studied, according to a study published June 5 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. During their surveys, researchers set up mist nets of various sizes and waited to see what flew into the traps, the study said. They also ventured into 'confined spaces like tunnels and caves' with butterfly nets to see what they could catch. 'Finally in 2021, a few days before the end of my last field season in Uttarakhand, Baseer Baniya returned from our nets with a Collared Scops-Owl bycatch in one cloth bag, and a bat that he couldn't identify in the other,' study co-author Rohit Chakravarty wrote in a June 5 Facebook post. 'As soon as I pulled the bat out of the bag,' Chakravarty knew it was an 'elusive' bat he'd seen twice before and had been searching for for years. Researchers took a closer look at the unfamiliar-looking bat, analyzed its DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species of mouse-eared bat: Myotis himalaicus, or the Himalayan long-tailed Myotis. Himalayan long–tailed Myotis bats are considered 'medium-sized,' reaching about 3.5 inches in length and weighing less than an ounce, the study said. They have 'delicate' feet and 'relatively long' thumbs ending in 'a strong but short claw.' Their heads have 'short' ears and 'rather delicate' teeth. A photo shows the new species' 'dense, soft and relatively long' hair. Overall, the mouse-eared bat's fur is 'dark brown' with some lighter hues mixed in and a paler golden-brown belly. Himalayan long–tailed Myotis bats were caught in net traps in 'a variety of forested habitats at elevations between' 4,900 to 7,500 feet and 'appears (to be) uncommon,' the study said. Much about the new species' lifestyle remains unknown. Researchers said they named the new species after the Himalayan mountains where it was first discovered. So far, Himalayan long–tailed Myotis bats have been found in Uttarakhand, India, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, locations nearly 500 miles apart. Uttarakhand is a province of northern India bordering Nepal and Tibet. The new species was identified by its DNA, tail length, body proportions, ears, skull shape, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. The research team included Uttam Saikia, Rohit Chakravarty, Gabor Csorba, Mostaque Ahmed Laskar and Manuel Ruedi. The team also surveyed about two dozen other bat species.
