Scientists from the Natural History Museum Describe 351 Plant and Animal Species in 2022: Stegosaur, Frogs Smaller Than a Coin, Wasp Parasites, More!

Just last 2022, the Natural History Museum experts were able to uncover 351 new species of plants and animals. This includes the oldest unearthed Stegosaur in Asia, among three new dinosaur species, and frogs that do not reach the full size of a penny.

Though the sight of such creatures may not be new to some humans, several of them got officially labeled and documented last 2022. This makes it easier to protect and preserve them.

Invertebrates Take Up Most of the Pie

According to the Daily Mail, most of these species were invertebrates. The discoveries include hundreds of new stick insects, wasp, moth, and beetle species. It also covers various frogs, fish, and even mineral discoveries.

The Natural History Museum notes how it is not surprising to see that the majority of this species are invertebrates. This is because most species that walk over the earth are invertebrates.

However, there are also some vertebrates that have been described last 2022. This includes a new Seychelles-spotted gecko, 3 fish species, and 7 frog species.

351 Newly Named Species

More precisely, the Natural History Museum reports how the lineup of 351 species includes 13 trematode worm species, 23 moss animal species, 34 moth species, and 84 beetle species. Other than this, it also covers 12 protist species, 7 fly species, 2 Asian bumblebee species, 2 polychaete worm species, and 1 centipede, among others.

Most Dominant Animal Group: Wasps

However, the animal group that had the most new species named were the wasps. To be precise, there were 85 new wasp species that were named and described. The group covered small organisms that had wings that were astounding and feather-like. Such small animals are part of a group that contains some of the world's tiniest insects.

Such parasite wasps that are unusually small could impact the field of agriculture. These insects leach over thrip eggs, which are types of insects that can damage crops. Other than that, these wasps could also be helpful agents of biological control.

IFL Science notes how the Museum's principal curator in Charge of Insects, Dr. Gavin Broad, notes how the topping of wasp species does not come as a surprise. He notes that it is surprising, however, that such species are not at the top each year. He also notes how parasite wasp abundance makes the Hymenoptera order the insect order that is most rich in insects. However, it falls behind other animal groups when it comes to the species' actual descriptions. Dr. Gavin Board himself is also an Hymenoptera expert.

With this, more wasp discoveries could be expected this 2023.

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