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‘Giant’ cave creatures and ‘crocodile’-like animals: See this year’s best new species

By Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization
A creature not seen since the 1800s reappeared in the net of artisanal fishers in Chile, and was one of the most read species stories of 2024.
A creature not seen since the 1800s reappeared in the net of artisanal fishers in Chile, and was one of the most read species stories of 2024. Alfredo Garcés via Unsplash

The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.

Take a look at some of the most popular species stories from 2024:

Ocean predator missing since 1800s appears in fishers’ net in Chile. Take a look

Angel sharks are bottom-dwellers that ambush their prey as they swim overhead.
Angel sharks are bottom-dwellers that ambush their prey as they swim overhead. Kraft, S., Fernández-Cisternas, Ítalo, Araya, M., & Concha, F. J. (2024) European Journal of Taxonomy

In a remarkable discovery, artisanal fishers in Chile caught the elusive Chilean angel shark, Squantina armata, which had been missing from scientific records since the 1800s. This critically endangered species, known for its flat, ray-like body, was found near Playa Seremeño on Chile’s Pacific coast. The rediscovery of these sharks is crucial for conservation efforts as they face threats from coastal development and fishing. | Published April 26 | Read More |

‘Giant’ cave creature — with teeth and claws — found in Australia. See the new species

In the clear water of Totem Pole Cave (not pictured), “giant” creatures swim around, waiting to be discovered.
In the clear water of Totem Pole Cave (not pictured), “giant” creatures swim around, waiting to be discovered. Michael Behrens via Unsplash

Researchers exploring Totem Pole Cave in Australia’s Northern Territory discovered a new species of crustacean, Megabathynella totemensis, known as the Totem Pole Cave giant bathynellacea. This tiny, translucent creature, resembling a shrimp, was found in the karst pools of the cave. The discovery highlights the potential for finding more unique species in Australia’s karst landscapes. | Published May 23 | Read More |

5-foot predator — with ‘large’ eyes — found near road in Trinidad. It’s a new species

Scientists found a 5-foot-long animal near a road in Trinidad and discovered a new species, a study said. Photo shows a representative area.
Scientists found a 5-foot-long animal near a road in Trinidad and discovered a new species, a study said. Photo shows a representative area. Photo from Kenrick Baksh via Unsplash

In Trinidad, scientists identified a new species of snake, Chironius nigelnoriegai, or the Trinidadian sipo snake, distinguished by its “large” eyes and dark olive green body. This 5-foot-long predator was found near a road and is unique to the island, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Trinidad and Tobago. The discovery was made through DNA analysis and physical examination. | Published May 24 | Read More |

‘Dwarf’-like creature — with ‘visible’ eggs in its belly — discovered as new species

Scientists found a “dwarf”-like creature perched on the rock walls of a cliff in India and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a “dwarf”-like creature perched on the rock walls of a cliff in India and discovered a new species, a study said. Photo from Prasad Bhogaonkar via Khandekar, Thackeray, Agarwal, Gangalmale, Kininge and Gaikwad (2024)

On the steep cliffs of Maharashtra, India, researchers discovered a new species of gecko, Cnemaspis basalticola, or the basalt dwarf gecko. This small, slender lizard with bronze eyes and a camouflaged greenish-brown color was found at Ratangad Fort. The gecko’s unique habitat preference for basalt rock formations led to its name. | Published June 11 | Read More |

Mysterious deep-sea creature caught in Canada stumps researchers for years — until now

In a deep-sea canyon off the coast of eastern Canada, a mysterious fish was unidentified for more than a decade.
In a deep-sea canyon off the coast of eastern Canada, a mysterious fish was unidentified for more than a decade. Screengrab from Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Facebook post

Off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, researchers finally identified a mysterious fish caught in 2009 as a new species of whalefish, Cetomimus paxtoni. This deep-sea creature, found in the Gully, a large underwater canyon, remained a mystery for 15 years until genetic analysis matched it with a specimen from a Russian expedition. Whalefish are known for their unique appearance and inhabit the ocean’s midnight zone. | Published July 29 | Read More |

‘Dragon’ creature — found in depths of Antarctica seas — is a new species. See it

During a research trip to Antarctica, a new species was caught in a trawling net.
During a research trip to Antarctica, a new species was caught in a trawling net. Vendi Saputra via Unsplash

In the icy waters of Antarctica, researchers discovered a new species of dragonfish, Akarotaxis gouldae, named after the research vessel ARSV Laurence M. Gould. This slender fish with bulging eyes was initially mistaken for a known species but was identified through genetic analysis. The discovery highlights the hidden biodiversity of the Southern Ocean. | Published Sept. 2 | Read More |

4-foot-long creature with ‘very long’ snout found dead in India. It’s a new species

Scientists found a 4-foot-long creature with a “very long” snout dead in a Bihar village and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a 4-foot-long creature with a “very long” snout dead in a Bihar village and discovered a new species, a study said. Google Street View October 2023 © 2024 Google

In northeastern India, scientists discovered a new species of snake, Ahaetulla longirostris, or the long-snouted vine snake, characterized by its unusually long snout. Found dead near a village in Bihar, this medium-sized snake inhabits forests and human-dominated areas. The discovery was made through DNA analysis and physical examination. | Published Sept. 9 | Read More |

‘Crocodile’-like creatures found breeding in rice field in China. It’s a new species

Scientists found “crocodile”-like creatures breeding in a rice field of Hunan and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found “crocodile”-like creatures breeding in a rice field of Hunan and discovered a new species, a study said. Photo from You-Xiang Zhang via Huang, Xiang, Wu, Zhang, Zhang, Wang, Lan, Huang, Jiang and Jiang (2024)

In China’s Gaowangjie National Nature Reserve, scientists discovered a new species of newt, Tylototriton gaowangjienensis, or the Gaowangjie crocodile newt. These medium-sized amphibians, with rough skin and large eyes, were found breeding in a rice field. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of China’s protected areas. | Published Oct. 31 | Read More |

McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of unusual and intriguing new species. Check back for the latest studies.

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This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 12:00 PM with the headline "‘Giant’ cave creatures and ‘crocodile’-like animals: See this year’s best new species."

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