From a spider that looks like a wizard's hat to a bug with FOUR penises: Scientists reveal the top 10 new species of 2017

  • The 2017 list includes a pink insect that looks like a leaf and a polka dot sting ray 
  • It also includes a deep-sea worm named after a churro and an omnivorous rat
  • But researchers warn we risk not discovering species as extinction rates rise
  • They say that the more significant factor causing rapid extinctions is humans
  • Humans are altering ecosystems, decimating biodiversity and polluting water 

From a spider that looks like the sorting hat in Harry Potter, to a deep sea worm that looks like a churro, researchers have revealed the top ten new species for 2017.

The 10th annual list also includes a pink insect that bares a striking resemblance to a leaf, a tomato that appears to bleed when its cut, and a polka dot sting ray.

During the decade since the first list was compiled in 2008, almost 200,000 new species have been discovered - but experts warn we risk not discovering many other species as extinction rates rise.

Scroll down for video 

Can you spot the spider? A spider that looks like the wizarding hat in Harry Potter has a unique shape and color that allows it to mimic the look of dead leaves when it's asleep during the day so that predators don't see it

Can you spot the spider? A spider that looks like the wizarding hat in Harry Potter has a unique shape and color that allows it to mimic the look of dead leaves when it's asleep during the day so that predators don't see it

THE TOP TEN SPECIES OF 2017  

  1. The 'Harry Potter' spider - Eriovixia gryffindori 
  2. The pink 'leaf-like' katydid insect - Eulophophyllum kirki
  3. The omnivorous rat - Gracilimus radix
  4. The millipede with 414 legs -Illacme tobini
  5. The Game of Thrones ant with dragon-like spines - Pheidole drogon
  6. The polka dot 'king' freshwater stringray - Potamotrygon rex
  7. The 8-inch centipede that delivers a venomous bite - Scolopendra cataracta 
  8. The bush tomato that 'bleeds' when it's cut - Solanum ossicruentum
  9. The 'devil' orchid - Telipogon diabolicus
  10. The 'churro' pink worm found in the deep sea - Xenoturbella churro
Advertisement

The list, compiled by the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science's International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE), includes four species found in Asia (India, Indonesia, Laos and Malaysia).

Others on the list come from Mexico, the US, Brazil, Colombia, Australia and Papua New Guinea. 

'During the decade since our first Top 10 list, nearly 200,000 new species have been discovered and named. 

'This would be nothing but good news were it not for the biodiversity crisis and the fact that we're losing species faster than we're discovering them,' said ESF President Dr Quentin Wheeler, the founding director of the IISE. 

'The rate of extinction is 1,000 times faster than in prehistory. 

'Unless we accelerate species exploration, we risk never knowing millions of species or learning the amazing and useful things they can teach us.' 

Dr Wheeler said that the largest factor causing rapid extinctions is humans. 

'We are altering ecosystems, decimating biodiversity and polluting our waters,' he said. 

'Of all the devastating implications of climate change, none is more dangerous than accelerating species extinction. 

'We can engineer our way through many impacts of climate change but only hundreds of millions of years will repopulate the planet with biodiversity.' 

The institute's committee of taxonomists select the top 10 every year from among approximately 18,000 new specie discovered the previous year. 

The list is made public ever year around May 23 to celebrate the birthday of Carl Linnaeus, an 18th century Swedish zoologist who created the binomial tradition of scientific nomenclature - such as Homo sapiens for humans.

The top ten list is as follows:

1. The 'Harry Potter' spider - Eriovixia gryffindori

The spider, found in the central Western Ghats in Karnataka, India, bears an uncanny resemblance to the sorting hat in the Harry Potter film franchise.

The small spider takes refuge in dead, dry leaves
The spider looks very similar to the sorting hat from Harry Potter

The spider (left) bears a strong resemblance to the sorting hat in the Harry Potter film film franchise (right) 

The spider, Eriovixia gryffindori, is named after the original owner of the hat, Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders of the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series tweeted the researchers to congratulate them on their discovery. 

The small spider, which is seven millimetres (0.28 inches) long, is nocturnal and takes refuge in dead, dry leaves which they're well camouflaged for.

The spiders shape and colour allow it to mimic the look of dead leaves when it's asleep during the day so that predators don't see it.

The spider was discovered by a team of scientists in India, led by Javed Ahmed, an arachno-naturalist 

2. The pink 'leaf-like' katydid insect - Eulophophyllum kirki

The Eulophophyllum kirki katydid insect, discovered in Malaysia, was discovered while researchers were looking for tarantulas and snakes in Borneo. 

Named after the photographer of the only known specimen, Peter Kirk, Eulophophyllum kirki uses color and mimicry to blend into surrounding leaves.

The katydids are about 40 mm (1.5 inches) in length, with the males green and females pink.

Named after the photographer of the only known specimen, Peter Kirk, Eulophophyllum kirki uses color and mimicry to blend into surrounding leaves.

Named after the photographer of the only known specimen, Peter Kirk, Eulophophyllum kirki uses color and mimicry to blend into surrounding leaves.

The katydids are about 40 mm (1.5 inches) in length, with the males green and females pink. It's leaf-like in appearance, including hind legs that are similarly leaf-like in shape and detail

The katydids are about 40 mm (1.5 inches) in length, with the males green and females pink. It's leaf-like in appearance, including hind legs that are similarly leaf-like in shape and detail

It's leaf-like in appearance, including hind legs that are similarly leaf-like in shape and detail.

Because it was discovered in a highly protected area, collecting permits could not be obtained and no specimens were collected. 

This creates the potential of confusion in the future if similar katydids are discovered. 

3. The omnivorous rat - Gracilimus radix 

The omnivorous Sulawesi root rat, discovered in Indonesia, eats both plant and animal matter, making it unique among its strictly carnivorous relatives. 

The rat is known to sometimes feed on roots, and the name G. radix is derived from the Latin word for 'root.'

It's most closely related to the Sulawesi water rat, with both belonging to a larger group, including shrew rats.

Found only on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, the Sulawesi root rat is small and slender, with gray-brown fur, rounded ears, and a sparsely haired tail. It's omnivorous and eats both plant and animal matter, making it unique among its strictly carnivorous relatives

Found only on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, the Sulawesi root rat is small and slender, with gray-brown fur, rounded ears, and a sparsely haired tail. It's omnivorous and eats both plant and animal matter, making it unique among its strictly carnivorous relatives

Found only on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, the rat is small and slender, with gray-brown fur, rounded ears, and a sparsely haired tail. 

Seven new species of rodents have been found since 2012, suggesting there remain many unknown rats in the fauna of Sulawesi.

4. The millipede with 414 legs -Illacme tobini

A new species of millipede found lurking in the unexplored dark marble caves of Sequoia National Park in California left scientists baffled.

The unique creature has 414 legs, four 'penises', bizarre-looking mouthparts and secretes a poisonous chemical as a defense mechanism.

A new species of millipede found lurking in the unexplored dark marble caves of Sequoia National Park has left scientists baffled. The critter has 414 legs, four 'penises', bizarre-looking mouthparts and secretes a poisonous chemical as a defense mechanism

A new species of millipede found lurking in the unexplored dark marble caves of Sequoia National Park has left scientists baffled. The critter has 414 legs, four 'penises', bizarre-looking mouthparts and secretes a poisonous chemical as a defense mechanism

Named Illacme tobini, it was discovered during an expedition in 2006 and later revealed to be the evolutionary cousin of the leggiest animal on the planet, Illacme plenipes.

Illacme tobini's body is covered in long, long silk-secreting hairs and there are pores in its mouth that secrete an unknown chemical as a defense mechanism.

It was found by cave biologist Jean Krejca who snagged the critter and preserved it in ethanol.

The rare specimen found in 2006 was sent to diplopodologists Bill Shear and Paul Marek at Virginia Tech, who immediately recognized its significance as evolutionary cousin of the leggiest animal on the planet, I. plenipes (pictured)

The rare specimen found in 2006 was sent to diplopodologists Bill Shear and Paul Marek at Virginia Tech, who immediately recognized its significance as evolutionary cousin of the leggiest animal on the planet, I. plenipes (pictured)

5. The Game of Thrones ant with dragon-like spines - Pheidole drogon

The mythical beasts featured in the popular fantasy TV drama have an insect-sized counterpart.

Scientists were inspired to name the new ant species after Drogon, one of the fictional dragons from the TV series Game of Thrones, because of its large, dragon-like spines. 

Recently discovered in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, the 'dragon ant', named Phidole Drogon, was identified with the help of 3D imaging technology

Recently discovered in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, the 'dragon ant', named Phidole Drogon, was identified along with several other species, using 3D imaging

Recently discovered in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, the 'dragon ant', named Phidole Drogon, was identified along with several other species, using 3D imaging

Scientists were inspired to name the new ant species after the dragon 'Drogon' in Game of Thrones (pictured) because of its large and distinctive dragon-like spines

Scientists were inspired to name the new ant species after the dragon 'Drogon' in Game of Thrones (pictured) because of its large and distinctive dragon-like spines

The innovative imaging technology was used to peer inside the spines of the worker ants, which they found are filled with muscle 

While the most obvious use of this muscle is for defence against predators they also found they were filled with muscle - which could make the insects stronger and more robust than their less spiny peers, helping them support their large heads. 

The discovery was made by researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). 

The innovative imaging technology was used to peer inside the spines of the worker ants, which they found are filled with muscle. Insects scanned in this way are transformed into virtual 3D specimens that can then be dissected, archived and shared with other scientists around the globe, all on a computer screen

The innovative imaging technology was used to peer inside the spines of the worker ants, which they found are filled with muscle. Insects scanned in this way are transformed into virtual 3D specimens that can then be dissected, archived and shared with other scientists around the globe, all on a computer screen

While new insect species are traditionally described using photos, drawings and verbal and written descriptions, the authors of two separate studies in PLOS ONE, used 3D imaging tech called X-ray microtomography to catalogue their findings.

6. The polka dot 'king' freshwater stringray - Potamotrygon rex

This large, polka dot patterned freshwater stingray lives in the Tocantins River in Brazil. 

The specimen discovered is 1,110 mm (43 inches) in length, but large specimens may weigh up to 20 kg (44 pounds).

P.rex is among the 35 percent of the 350 documented fish species in the Tocantins River that are found nowhere else on Earth. 

Potamotrygon rex is blackish to blackish-brown in background, with bright yellow to orange spots that, combined with its size, earn it the title 'king'

Potamotrygon rex is blackish to blackish-brown in background, with bright yellow to orange spots that, combined with its size, earn it the title 'king'

The Potamotrygon rex specimen that was found is 1,110 mm (43 inches) in length, but large specimens may weigh up to 20 kg (44 pounds)

The Potamotrygon rex specimen that was found is 1,110 mm (43 inches) in length, but large specimens may weigh up to 20 kg (44 pounds)

It's blackish to blackish-brown in background, with bright yellow to orange spots that, combined with its size, earn it the title 'king.' 

The discovery of such a large, brightly colored ray highlights how incompletely the fish of the Neotropics are known. 

7. The 8-inch centipede that delivers a venomous bite - Scolopendra cataracta 

This species of giant centipede may have you second-guessing your next trip to the lake.

Scolopendra cataracta is the first known amphibious centipede, which can move between land and water, and swims ‘powerfully’ like an eel.

Named Scolopendra cataracta, from the Latin word for waterfall, the long centipede is found in Southeast Asia and is thought to prowl the water at night hunting for aquatic or amphibious prey

Named Scolopendra cataracta, from the Latin word for waterfall, the long centipede is found in Southeast Asia and is thought to prowl the water at night hunting for aquatic or amphibious prey

The 20 centimeter (eight-inch) long venomous centipede looks like it could have crawled straight out of your nightmares – with 20 pairs of long legs and a greenish-black coloration that even entomologists are calling ‘horrific.’ 

Named Scolopendra cataracta, from the Latin word for waterfall, the long centipede is found in Southeast Asia and is thought to prowl the water at night hunting for aquatic or amphibious prey.

It was first discovered by George Beccaloni of the Natural History Museum in London during a honeymoon trip to Thailand, according to National Geographic.

The venomous centipede packs a powerful and painful bite and was discovered in Thailand by George Beccaloni of the Natural History Museum in London, hiding beneath a rock

The venomous centipede packs a powerful and painful bite and was discovered in Thailand by George Beccaloni of the Natural History Museum in London, hiding beneath a rock

The researcher said he was surprised to find the ‘horrific-looking’ creature hiding beneath a rock - but it escaped into a stream where it rapidly ran to and hid under a submerged rock. 

A member of the predominant centipede genus in tropical regions, the centipede's amphibious ability is unprecedented. 

Its population status is of concern because of habitat destruction, including tourist activities, along streams and river embankments where the new species is found.

Named Scolopendra cataracta, from the Latin word for waterfall, the 20 centimeter (8-inch) long centipede is found in Southeast Asia and is thought to prowl the water at night hunting for aquatic or amphibious prey
A member of the predominant centipede genus in tropical regions, the centipede's amphibious ability is unprecedented

Researchers describe the new species in a paper published last month in the journal ZooKeys . While it has many similarities with other species in the genus Scolopendra, DNA analysis and physical examination revealed this creature is unique

8. The bush tomato that 'bleeds' when it's cut - Solanum ossicruentum 

The name of this new species was chosen with help from 150 seventh-grade life science students in Pennsylvania. 

Young fruits of the species stain blood red when cut before maturing into a dry, white bony state - so the final choice combines the Latin 'ossi' for bony and 'cruentum' for bloody.

The woody plant is an upright shrub growing to one to two meters (three to six and a half feet) tall, forking at about a third its height into two or three stems. 

Young fruits of Solanum ossicruentum stain blood red when cut before maturing into a dry, white bony state - so the final choice combines the Latin 'ossi' for bony and 'cruentum' for bloody

Young fruits of Solanum ossicruentum stain blood red when cut before maturing into a dry, white bony state - so the final choice combines the Latin 'ossi' for bony and 'cruentum' for bloody

The fruit is a berry one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half centimeters (less than an inch) in diameter. When cut, the fruit's flesh oxidizes from whitish-green to blood red

The fruit is a berry one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half centimeters (less than an inch) in diameter. When cut, the fruit's flesh oxidizes from whitish-green to blood red

The fruit is a berry one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half centimeters (less than an inch) in diameter. 

When cut, the fruit's flesh oxidizes from whitish-green to blood red. 

Mature fruits change from light green to dark green, then chestnut brown, becoming leathery and bony hard. 

It's most likely pollinated by bees and the spiny fruits distributed in the fur of animals.

While it's considered a new species, it has been known to botanists for 50 years, once considered a variation of a related species Solanum dioicum.

9. The 'devil' orchid - Telipogon diabolicus

The new species of orchid, called Telipogon diabolicus, has a reproductive structure derived from the fusion of male and female flower parts into one - and it bears a striking resemblance to depictions of the devil's head

The new species of orchid, called Telipogon diabolicus, has a reproductive structure derived from the fusion of male and female flower parts into one - and it bears a striking resemblance to depictions of the devil's head

The new species of orchid, called Telipogon diabolicus, has a reproductive structure derived from the fusion of male and female flower parts into one - and it bears a striking resemblance to depictions of the devil's head.

It's considered critically endangered and has only been discovered in southern Colombia.

It's an epiphyte  - a plant that grows harmlessly on another plant in moist, dwarf mountain forest. 

It's only been discovered in one location in Colombia that's currently threatened by reconstruction of a road that will negatively impact its habitat

It's only been discovered in one location in Colombia that's currently threatened by reconstruction of a road that will negatively impact its habitat

It's only been discovered in one location currently threatened by reconstruction of a road that will negatively impact its habitat. 

There are about 3,600 species of orchids in Colombia alone, with new ones awaiting discovery.  

 10. The 'churro' pink worm found in the deep sea - Xenoturbella churro

The strange pink worm, named after a Spanish fried pastry, was discovered 12,000 feet (3,658 metres) below the waves and may be one of our earliest ancestors.

It's among four new species of bright, fuchsia flatworm-like animals found near hydrothermal vents as well as on a whale carcass off the coast of California.

Scientists used robot submarines tethered to a ship to fish the species of Xenoturbella from sea beds over a 12-year period
The strange pink worm was named after churro's (pictured) a Spanish fried pastry

The strange pink worm Xenoturbella churro (pictured left), named after churro's, a Spanish fried pastry (pictured right), was discovered 12,000 feet (3,658 metres) below the waves and may be one of our earliest ancestors

Scientists used robot submarines tethered to a ship to fish the species of Xenoturbella from sea beds over a 12-year period. 

Genetic analysis has pinpointed the place of the underwater creatures near the base of the evolutionary tree of life, meaning they are one of our earliest ancestors.

Previously Xenoturbella was only known from a single species found in the waters off Sweden, which has puzzled biologists for almost six decades.

Xenoturbella churro is four inches long (10 centimeters) was discovered  in a deep cold seep in the Gulf of California.

Xenoturbella churro is four inches long (10 centimeters) was discovered in a deep cold seep in the Gulf of California

Xenoturbella churro is four inches long (10 centimeters) was discovered in a deep cold seep in the Gulf of California

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.