New Species Are Being Discovered Faster Than Ever Before, Scientists Find
Scientists have been naming and cataloging life on Earth for centuries, but a new large-scale study shows that the pace of new species discovery is not slowing down at all. In fact, it is accelerating. According to recent research led by the University of Arizona and published in Science Advances, researchers are now describing more new species each year than at any point in recorded history. This finding challenges long-standing assumptions that humanity is close to documenting most of the planet’s biodiversity.
The roots of modern species classification go back roughly 300 years, when Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus introduced the binomial naming system and set out to identify every living organism on Earth. Linnaeus himself described over 10,000 species of plants and animals, laying the foundation for modern taxonomy. Since then, scientists around the world have continued this work, steadily expanding our understanding of life on the planet.
What the new study shows is striking: rather than running out of species to discover, scientists are uncovering them at a record-breaking pace.
Record-High Rates of Species Discovery
The research team analyzed the taxonomic histories of nearly 2 million species, covering all major groups of living organisms. Their analysis focused on how many species were formally described over time and how those rates have changed across centuries.
Between 2015 and 2020, which is the most recent period with comprehensive global data, scientists documented an average of more than 16,000 new species every year. That number is higher than at any previous point in history. Importantly, the trend does not appear to be leveling off. Instead, the data suggest that discovery rates are still increasing.
Among these newly described species each year:
- Over 10,000 are animals, with arthropods and insects making up the largest share
- Around 2,500 are plants
- Roughly 2,000 are fungi
Insects alone account for about 6,000 new species annually, highlighting how much diversity remains hidden in some of the most abundant and complex groups of life on Earth.
Why Scientists Thought Discoveries Might Be Slowing
For years, some scientists believed that species discovery rates had already peaked, especially for well-studied groups like mammals, birds, and flowering plants. The idea was that once explorers had mapped most continents and cataloged visible organisms, the number of new species would naturally decline.
The new findings directly contradict that assumption. When the researchers examined discovery patterns across multiple groups, they found that most major categories of life are still yielding new species at increasing rates. This includes plants, fungi, arachnids, fishes, reptiles, and amphibians.
Rather than signaling the end of discovery, modern tools and broader global participation in science appear to be driving the surge.
How Many Species Might Exist on Earth?
Currently, scientists have formally described about 2.5 million species worldwide. However, this number is widely believed to represent only a fraction of Earth’s true biodiversity.
Based on observed discovery trends, the researchers projected future totals for several major groups:
- Fish species could number as many as 115,000, compared to about 42,000 currently described
- Amphibians may reach around 41,000 species, even though only about 9,000 are known today
- Plant species could exceed 500,000 in total
Insects remain one of the biggest mysteries. While about 1.1 million insect species have been described, many scientists estimate that the real number may be closer to 6 million, and some projections go as high as 20 million.
Overall, the study reinforces the idea that Earth’s total species count could range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions, and possibly even higher.
Discovery vs. Extinction
One encouraging takeaway from the study is that the current rate of species discovery appears to far outpace the rate of known extinctions. Based on related research, the estimated extinction rate is roughly 10 species per year, compared to the tens of thousands being described.
This does not mean extinction is not a serious concern. Many species may disappear before they are ever discovered. However, the findings suggest that scientists are still uncovering biodiversity faster than it is being lost, at least in terms of documented species.
The Role of Modern Science and Technology
Most newly described species today are still identified based on visible physical traits, such as anatomy, coloration, or structure. However, the study highlights how advances in molecular biology and genetics are opening the door to even more discoveries.
Genetic tools make it possible to identify cryptic species, which look nearly identical on the outside but are genetically distinct. This is especially important for organisms like bacteria, fungi, insects, and small vertebrates, where visual differences may be subtle or misleading.
As DNA sequencing becomes cheaper and more accessible, scientists expect the number of recognized species to rise even faster.
Why Discovering New Species Matters
Documenting biodiversity is not just an academic exercise. A species cannot be protected if it has not been scientifically described. Conservation laws, habitat protections, and recovery plans all depend on knowing that a species exists in the first place.
Beyond conservation, newly discovered species often lead to real-world benefits for humanity. Many plants, fungi, and animals produce unique chemical compounds that can inspire new medicines. For example, GLP-1 receptor agonists, now widely used for weight loss and diabetes treatment, were inspired by a hormone found in the venom of the Gila monster.
Spider and snake venoms, as well as compounds from fungi and plants, are being studied for treatments related to pain management, cancer, and neurological disorders.
Inspiration Beyond Medicine
Nature also serves as a powerful source of inspiration for engineering and design. Certain species possess adaptations that have already influenced human innovation. A well-known example is the remarkable adhesive ability of gecko feet, which has inspired the development of new materials that can cling to vertical surfaces without glue.
As more species are discovered and studied, scientists expect to uncover many more adaptations that could influence technology, materials science, and environmental solutions.
Where New Species Are Being Found
Looking ahead, researchers plan to analyze geographic patterns in species discovery to identify regions that are likely hotspots for undiscovered biodiversity. Tropical regions, remote ecosystems, and underexplored habitats are expected to play a major role.
The team is also interested in understanding who is making these discoveries. Historically, much of taxonomy was dominated by European scientists. Today, more researchers are documenting species within their own countries, which may be helping accelerate discovery rates worldwide.
A Long Quest That Is Far From Over
Despite nearly three centuries of scientific effort since Linnaeus began his work, about 15% of all known species have been discovered in just the past 20 years. This statistic alone highlights how incomplete our understanding of life on Earth still is.
The study’s findings make one thing clear: humanity is far from finishing the task of cataloging Earth’s biodiversity. With improving technology, expanding global collaboration, and vast unexplored ecosystems, the age of discovery is very much alive.
Research paper:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adz3071
