Every year, researchers describe new species of animals and plants, from forests and oceans, after months, or even several years, of trials and tribulations. In 2018, Mongabay covered many of these new discoveries and descriptions, some a result of chance encounters. In no particular order, we present our 10 top picks. Once again this year, researchers described several new species of animals and plants after months, or even several years, of trials and tribulations. Some were tiny, like the Japan pig, a colorful pygmy horse that’s smaller than a fingernail. Some were cases of mistaken identities, such as Africa’s biggest cobra that turned out to be not one but five species. Some, like the new species of giant salamander, took nearly a decade to capture and describe. Other species, although new to science, such as the stunning blue-throated hillstar, are already severely threatened and could become extinct before we get the chance to learn more about them. In 2018, Mongabay covered many of these new discoveries and descriptions. Below, in no particular order, we present our 10 top picks. The Central African forest cobra (N. melanoleuca). Image by Jean-Francois Trape. The forest cobra, Africa’s biggest true cobra, which was […]
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