Scientists discovering NEW species faster than ever, including animals, plants and fungi

Scientists are identifying new species at an unprecedented pace, according to fresh research from the University of Arizona. The International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) reported that researchers identified 18,263 new species in 2024, including insects, flowering plants, fish, and fungi. This represents a 12% increase from 2023 and a 44% increase from 2022. The data, compiled from the World Register of Marine Species and other taxonomic databases, shows that scientists are discovering new life forms faster than species are going extinct. Notable discoveries in 2024 included a 2,000-mile-wide network of fungi, a 1,000-mile-long marine organism with 25-foot arms, and a 400-foot-tall tree fungus. The research, published by IISE and led by Dr. Quentin Wheeler, highlights that despite biodiversity loss concerns, taxonomy - the science of naming and classifying species - is experiencing a golden age with over 2.2 million species catalogued to date.