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Lots of new species discovered in Western Australia

Among discoveries are an eyeless underground crustacean and a spider-hunting wasp

A hotbed of biodiversity, Western Australia has recently seen scientists from the Western Australian Museum identify 19 newly found species, including an intriguing eyeless underground crustacean and a wasp that hunts spiders.

The names of all newly identified species are dedicated to Carolus Linnaeus, recognized as the founder of modern taxonomy. The 250th anniversary of this renowned Swede’s seminal work on the world’s animal life occurred last year, where he created the two-part naming convention – genus and species – still used today. Taxonomy serves as the science for identifying and naming novel species.

The newly classified species consist of 11 spiders and their relatives, three types of crustaceans, two insects, a mollusk, a worm, and a sponge.

Prof. Mark Harvey, who leads Terrestrial Zoology at the Western Australian Museum and contributed as an editor for the new publication, considers these discoveries highly significant.

“The continuous and exhilarating process of uncovering new life forms on Earth is vital,” Prof. Harvey noted. “Western Australia shines as a brilliant gem within our planet’s biodiversity collection. The survival of all life on this delicate Earth hinges on our speed in identifying, documenting, and describing new species. Detailing and publishing a new species requires considerable time, with each research paper taking months of preparation.”

The minuscule spider Micropholcomma linnaei is exclusively found in the forests of southwestern Australia. Males possess a protective shield on the abdomen’s top, while females display small spots, providing a unique look.

Kruptus linnaei, a type of amphipod, inhabits underground environments in the Fortescue River area of the Pilbara. These small, pale crustaceans are eyeless and live their whole lives below ground.

Shallow waters throughout southern Australia are home to Chondrilla linnaei, a sponge that boasts a bright orange hue.

Callucina linnaei is a shell found along the Western Australian coastline, from Houtman Abrolhos to the Dampier Archipelago. The leafhopper Gunawardenea linnaei is native only to Barrow Island, where it feeds on flora and moves with quick jumps.

Gunawardenea linnaei exists solely on Barrow Island, feeding on vegetation and exhibiting rapid jumping movements.

Additionally, researchers identified four new genera, including a pseudoscorpion, a spider, a crustacean, and an insect. The pseudoscorpion, small arachnids resembling scorpions but devoid of the tail and sting characteristic of larger relatives, has been named Linnaeolpium to honor Linnaeus’ impact on science.

“There are countless species of animals, plants, and other organisms on this planet, and the 18th-century work of Carolus Linnaeus paved the way for documenting this vast diversity,” stated Prof. Harvey.

These findings are featured in the latest issue of the Records of the Western Australian Museum, a scientific journal produced by the region’s leading institution focused on animal biodiversity.

The research that contributed to this volume involved 31 scientists from across the globe.

by David Livingstone

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