Top 10 New Species Revealed By Scientists - via Simon Reames

A 'devil's worm', a sneezing monkey and an orchid that only blooms at night have been named in the latest top 10 list of new species.

Chosen by scientists from 200 nominated animals and plants described for the first time last year, a venomous jellyfish, giant millipede, parasitic wasp and a blue tarantula also make the top 10.

The list is published each year by the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University in the US.

It commemorates the birth on May 23 1707 of Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who devised the modern system of animal and plant classification.

A committee of international scientists made the selection based on "bizarre and unusual" traits that make certain species stand out.

Institute director Professor Quentin Wheeler said: "The top 10 is intended to bring attention to the biodiversity crisis and the unsung species explorers and museums who continue a 250-year tradition of discovering and describing the millions of kinds of plants, animals and microbes with whom we share this planet."

The 'sneezing monkey', Rhinopithecus strykeri, was found by scientists conducting a gibbon survey in the high mountains of Burma.


Continued: http://news.sky.com/home/strange-news/article/16234081