California Academy of Sciences Researchers Discover 71 New Animal and Plant Species in 2019

A Diversity of Discoveries

From geckos to goblin spiders, flowering plants to Mediterranean ants, spanning five continents and three oceans, these discoveries grow Earth's tree of life.

From Tiny Creatures to Giant Leaves

The list includes flowers, fish, corals, spiders, sea slugs, ants, and lizards among others. A standout among the new species is an Amazonian tree with human-sized leaves, named Coccoloba gigantifolia. Its leaves can reach 2.5 meters (8 feet) in length.

On December 5, 2019, researchers at the California Academy of Sciences announced the addition of 71 new plant and animal species to Earth's tree of life. The new species for 2019 include 17 fish, 12 spiders, 11 ants, 10 sea slugs, 6 flowering plants, 4 corals, 3 lizards, 2 geckos, and 1 snake.

Conclusion: Science's Unending Quest

These discoveries are a testament to the incredible diversity and beauty of life on Earth, as well as the ongoing efforts of scientists to explore and understand our planet.