The Most 'Strange' Plant and Animal Species Discovered in 2016

A spider with a wizard hat, a devilish orchid, a dragon-like ant... Last year once again proved that the wildlife of our planet still has many hidden wonders that are discoverable and researchable. An international committee has selected and introduced ten interesting examples from over eighteen thousand plant and animal species discovered last year. From the depths of the oceans to the heights of the skies and the heart of the forests, evolution has created a vast collection of life forms that have adapted to their environments in various ways. According to experts' estimates, there are still about ten million unknown species of plants and animals, many of which are doomed to extinction due to human activity. Some may become extinct before they are even discovered. To draw public attention to this issue, the IISE (International Institute for Species Exploration) has been preparing and publishing an annual list of the strangest species for nearly a decade. The list for 2016 has recently been released. 1) The Indian spider 'Eriovixia gryffindori' takes its name from the Harry Potter book series, as it resembles a wizard's conical hat. This spider is so rare that researchers have only found one specimen so far. 2) The Malaysian grasshopper 'Eulophophyllum kirki' has mastered the art of camouflage and looks exactly like a tree leaf. It is named after its discoverer, Peter Kirk. 3) The small rodent 'Gracilimus radix' is an omnivore, unlike its carnivorous relatives, and particularly enjoys tree roots. In the last fifteen years, eight new rodent species have been discovered in its habitat on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. 4) The newly discovered millipede 'Illacme tobini' actually has just over four hundred legs and is from the west coast of the United States. It seems that this insect only feeds on liquids, as it lacks the proper tools for breaking down food. 5) A new type of ant discovered in Papua New Guinea has spines on its back and is named after the dragon 'Pheidole drogon' from the Game of Thrones series due to its dragon-like appearance. These spines are made of muscle tissue and apparently serve to support the weight of its head. 6) Not all animals on this list are small, such as the newly discovered stingray 'Potamotrygon rex,' which weighs up to twenty kilograms and lives in the Tocantins River in Brazil. 7) The twenty-centimeter black centipede discovered in Thailand, 'Scolopendra cataracta,' is the only known centipede that can swim and is also an excellent diver. 8) A type of wild tomato in Australia called 'Solanum ossicruentum' is covered in spines and changes color from green and white to dark blood red when cut in half. 9) The orchid from the mountains of Colombia, 'Telipogon diabolicus' (diabolicus means 'devilish'), has petals shaped like a devilish face with long ears, horns, and an open mouth, and is at risk of extinction due to road construction in the area. 10) The last species on this list is a wrinkled sea worm resembling an empty leather bag called 'Xenoturbella churro,' found on the shores of Mexico, which has neither a mouth nor an anus but can digest even the toughest morsels like clams. Source: International Institute for Species Exploration website.