Vampire hedgehog, pirate spider, semi-aquatic mouse… 4 strange species discovered in 2024

Vampire hedgehog, pirate spider, semi-aquatic mouse… 4 strange species discovered in 2024

Animals, plants, mushrooms: every year, science uncovers previously unknown species. The year 2024 was not lacking. Thus, the list of 2.2 million species already existing has grown further and the BBC has selected a few which are worth looking at a little more closely. Here are four of the most surprising ones.

Very fragrant mushrooms

In recent years, scientists Royal Botanic Gardens, Kewin England, have classified around 149 new plants and 23 new fungi from around the world. Among them, three species of mushrooms are distinguished by a unique feature: they emit a strange fishy smell.

These poisonous mushrooms belong to the genus of Russula. They produce trimethylaminea molecule present in many of our foods and which is responsible for this rotten fish smell.

A vampire hedgehog

A new species of hedgehog was discovered in Vietnam and its representatives are not covered with spikes like most of their congeners, but with fur. On the other hand, they have long fang-shaped teeth in their mouth which inspired their new scientific name: Hylomus macarong, «Vampire» meaning “vampire” in Vietnamese.

The purpose of these long fangs remains a mystery for the moment, but they appear more elongated in males, suggesting that they may have a role to play in sexual selection. Also, these vampire hedgehogs are just one of the 234 new species discovered this year in the Greater Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam), clearly showing the abundant biodiversity of this part of the world.

Pirate spiders

New species of spiders discovered on tropical island Saint Helenain the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. These are compared to pirates since they seem to have the annoying habit of violently seizing the webs of other spiders and killing their occupants.

The names of these new species are Ero lizae et Ero natashae. Individuals measure around 4 millimeters and have two spike-like protuberances on the back of the body, the purpose of which is not yet known but which certainly give them a rather frightening appearance.

A semi-aquatic mouse

During a thirty-eight-day expedition to the Alto Mayo region of northwest Peru, researchers discovered twenty-seven new species, including a rare amphibious mouse from the Daptomys genus. This one was found in a small patch of swamp forest and has webbed feet, which allows it to evolve in its waterlogged environment. The researchers noted, however, that its habitat is already threatened by agriculture.

“We are seeing more and more new species being discovered on the brink of extinction, or even disappearing as we discover them, explain Martin Cheekresearcher at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Most often, it is the destruction of their habitat by humans that is responsible.”



Source: www.slate.fr