Top 10 new species of 2011 unveiled—IISC report

Earth abounds with many different kinds of plants, animals and microbes. Some are known to mankind while there are millions more yet to be discovered in the depths of oceans and forests.

Researchers discovered some rare and astounding species for the first time in 2011.

The International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) based at Arizona State University in the United States has released a top 10 list of unusual species that had evaded mankind for centuries.

Quentin Wheeler, an entomologist and director at Arizona State University’s International Institute for Species Exploration stated, "The more species we discover, the more amazing the biosphere proves to be.”

He added,"Unless we know what species exist to begin with, we are powerless to detect, track or mitigate losses of biodiversity. We owe it to humans who follow to explore and document our flora and fauna."

Among the other unusual species discovered last year is a new fungus in Borneo that can be squeeed like a sponge and a tiny parasitic wasp in Spain that attacks ants and deposits an egg in less than 1/20 of a second.

Some unusual species discovered
Perhaps an ugly monkey with thick lips and a snub nose that sneezes when it rains is the most incredible creature discovered. The Myanmar mammal, whose scientific name is rhinopithecus strykeri tops the list.

Among the other new species, is a cool looking venomous jellyfish with colourful, long tentacles that can prompt people to exclaim "Oh boy!' when stung.

A tiny worm about 0.5 millimetres long that survives the temperatures and pressures of living 1.3 kilometer underground was discovered in a South African gold mine.

Wheeler stated, “I don’t think anyone suspected a multicellular organism to be living that deep in the Earth. It makes you wonder what else is out there. The biosphere is a lot bigger than we think it is."

Scientists found a rare orchid that only blooms at night and closes early the next morning from Papua New Guinea.

Among the other unusual species discovered last year is a new fungus in Borneo that can be squeeed like a sponge and a tiny parasitic wasp in Spain that attacks ants and deposits an egg in less than 1/20 of a second.

Others in the top 10 list
The top selection includes a Nepalese yellow poppy that blooms in the autumn monsoon season, a giant millipede that looks like a sausage found in Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains.

Others on the list are a walking cactus with multiple pairs of legs that it may have used to capture prey. To round up the top 10 list is the beautiful blue tarantula from Brazil.

Wheeler said, “We’re trying to draw attention to diversity, trying to make people aware of how little we know about species."

“There’s growing popularity for the idea of making sure we have sustainable biodiversity. We’re trying to bring attention to the science of taxonomy.”