The discovery of new species continues

No less than 19,232 species were described as new in 2009, the last year for which there is a complete report. More in detail, 9,738 insect species (50.6% of the total), 2,184 vascular plant species (11.3%) followed by 1,487 aracnids (7.7%) were discovered. 2009 was a positive year even for fossil species of which 1,905 new species were discovered. These facts and other data relative to the new species discovered were published in the periodic report “State of Observed Species” of the International Institute for Species Exploration hosted by the Arizona State University. This report is a useful instrument not only for taxonomists, but also for all those who are interested in the issue of biodiversity conservation. In fact, knowledge of the different species that inhabit our planet is fundamental to understand how ecosystems work and how biodiversity can be protected. Today about 2 million species can be counted, but it is presumed that there are 10 million vegetable and animal species still to be discovered and 20 million bacterial species unknown to man. Hence biodiversity still has a lot to offer!

To know more, the report "State of Observed Species" can be downloaded.