We're constantly discovering new species, and it isn't just little things like insects or plants. The ten biggest species discovered last year include a six foot long lizard, an antelope being sold at market, and this truly unique-looking creature.


Every year, the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University announces the top ten new species as a way to commemorate the birth of legendary zoologist and father of modern taxonomy Carolus Linnaeus. The fish up top is the pancake batfish, one of two such species discovered last year in the Gulf of Mexico in the midst of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Other species discovered include the huge Golden spotted monitor, a fruit-eating lizard from the Philippines that is over six feet long. Another relatively large species was Walker's duiker, an antelope species that was only discovered when its meat was put on sale at a West African bushmeat market. An incredibly rare species - it would have to be to evade detection for so long, since antelopes are among the best-studied animals in Africa - it's not exactly heartening that we first found it for sale at the market, and it speaks to the enormous challenges involved in not only finding new species but also keeping them around.


For a complete gallery of the top ten new species, check out BBC News.

Image by Prosanta Chakrabarty.