The top new species of 2016 include purple parasites and tumbleweeds
Humans have made their way to the moon, landed rovers on Mars and sent spacecraft to the outer reaches of the solar system. But the Earth remains a little-known planet. That becomes clear when naturalists look for creatures closer to home and find unknown gems. Here are our favorite new species of 2016.
Unknown Tumbler
Tumbleweeds are synonymous with the American West, At some point to form a new species, Salsola ryanii, which is about 5 feet in height and nearly as wide. After quickly growing and flowering, it dries and then its stem breaks, allowing it to tumble in the wind, spreading seeds as it goes. Usually, such hybrids are sterile, but in this case, the plant underwent an unusual genetic event that led to a duplication of its entire genome. That allowed it to reproduce and also made it incompatible with either of its parents. It has been found at 15 sites throughout California. “It’s extremely rare to catch a new species in the act of appearing and expanding,” says Norm Ellstrand, a professor of genetics at University of California, Riverside, “and very exciting.”
How Many Penises?
When biologist Jean Krejca unearthed an extremely leggy millipede in a remote cave in California’s Sequoia National Park, she knew it was special, so she sent it to the millipede experts Bill Shear and Paul Marek, who determined it was a new species and gave it the name illacme Tobini. With 414 legs, it’s one of Earth’s leggiest creatures. It is closely related to Illacme plenipes, which lives about 150 miles away and has 750 legs—the most of any animal. The millipede also has four gonopods, the millipede equivalents of penises, and boasts 200 poison glands.
This story is from the January 6 - January 13, 2017 edition of Newsweek.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 6 - January 13, 2017 edition of Newsweek.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ramy Youssef
DESCRIBING RAMY YOUSSEF'S WORK ISN'T EASY, BECAUSE HE REFUSES TO settle on just one thing. \"I feel really inspired to connect in the way that it makes sense.\"
Tobias Menzies
HOW MUCH DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE assassination of President Abraham Lincoln? That's a question Tobias Menzies hopes to answer in Apple TV+'s Manhunt (March 15).
The Fall and Rise of Katt Williams
He's had a string of run-ins with the law, yet the comedian's popularity continues to grow-with a recent podcast appearance blowing up the internet
AMERICA'S Greatest Workplaces for JOB STARTERS 2024
Getting a career started is never easy. First-day stumbling blocks can give way to larger questions about choosing the right career path. Imposter syndrome, information overload, the challenge of new colleagues: it's almost enough to make you miss the routine of sending out endless résumés to online job descriptions.
THE INCONCEIVABLE SEARCH FOR SPERM
Making MOTHERHOOD a reality in the face of virtually every cultural taboo
I'm Suing Harvard Over Rife Antisemitism
I applied to the university's Divinity School to be an ambassador for Orthodox Jews and build bridges with other cultures; instead I'm battling discrimination
Gen Z's Pockets Full of Cash
Digital wallets and bank cards might appear to be the modern way to pay, but physical money is making a comeback among young adults
Biden's Age Problem Tears Democrats Apart
After being depicted as an 'elderly man with a poor memory,' questions surrounding the president's advanced years are dividing his party
Country Has Won Our Achy Breaky Hearts
The genre has never been so popular-and with the likes of Beyoncé reminding fans of its roots, its mainstream appeal looks set to grow and grow
'Deadly Risk' of Fat-Loss Drugs
Diabetes treatment Ozempic has become popular among dieters due to its weightloss side effect, but a study warns of a link between the drug and suicidal thoughts