In 2024, scientists made significant strides in biodiversity research, discovering thousands of new species across various categories, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Among these discoveries, the California Academy of Sciences reported 138 new species, featuring an endangered edible dahlia from Mexico and several marine creatures, while the Natural History Museum in London added 190 new species, including a new type of piranha and three dinosaurs unearthed in Scotland.

The Schmidt Ocean Institute contributed to marine biodiversity by identifying four new species of deep-sea octopus and over 100 additional marine species along the Nazca Ridge, located 900 miles off the coast of Chile.

Additionally, the Bounty Trough off New Zealand's coast yielded more than 100 new marine species, including various mollusks and a potential new octocoral species.

In a notable marine discovery, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries recognized two distinct populations of killer whales in the North Pacific as separate species.

On land, the Cao Bang Crocodile Newt, a highly threatened amphibian discovered in Vietnam, highlights the ongoing biodiversity crisis, as it faces similar risks as its relatives.

Another significant find in Vietnam was a new species of hedgehog, Hylomys macarong, characterized by its soft fur and fang-like teeth, previously overlooked in museum collections.

Researchers also identified a climbing palm in Borneo, named Plectocomiopsis hantu, noted for its ghostly appearance and traditional use in basketry.

In the cloud forest of St Helena, two new spider species, Ero lizae and Ero natashae, were discovered, known for their aggressive behavior towards other spiders.

An expedition in Peru led to the discovery of a rare semi-aquatic mouse and a peculiar blob-headed fish, both new to science.

Among the intriguing findings was a species of fungi with a fishy odor, classified by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens in London.

These discoveries underscore the biodiversity crisis, with many newly identified species already facing extinction due to habitat destruction caused by human activity, as emphasized by Martin Cheek from the Royal Botanic Gardens.