Science academy added 200 newly discovered species

The California Academy of Sciences added 229 descriptions of plant and animal species in 2018 that had never been described before. The species, covering five continents and three oceans, include 120 wasps, 34 sea slugs, 28 ants, 19 fish, seven spiders, four eels, three sharks, two water bears, one frog, one snake, one seahorse and nine plants. Scientists from the California Academy of Sciences as well as international collaborators worked together to make these new discoveries. “Each species discovery may hold the key to groundbreaking innovations in science, technology or society and helps us better understand the diversity of life that makes up thriving ecosystems,” said Shannon Bennett, the academy’s chief of science, in announcing the discoveries.

Read more from the California Academy of Sciences here.