Among roughly 18,000 species discovered in the past year, these 10 did the most to wow judges at the International Institute for Species Exploration, part of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. This is
9 inches in length Phryganistria tamdaoensis is allegedly the world's largest 'walking stick' insect and can be found in Vietnam. (SUNY)
The X-Phyla (Dendrogramma enigmatica) from Australia are multi-cellular animals that look like mushrooms, with a mouth at the end of the “stem”. (SUNY)
The sea slug, (Phyllodesmium acanthorhinum) is a "missing link" between sea slugs that feed on hydroids and those specializing on corals. (SUNY)
Bromeliad (Tillandsia religiosa) found in Mexico has rose-colored spikes and flat green leaves, can be found growing up to five feet tall in rocky habitat in Mexico. (SUNY)
Indonesian Frog (Limnonectes larvaepartus) are the newest species of fanged frog. Unlike other frogs because it gives birth to tadpoles that are deposited in pools of water. On one occasion, a female gave birth to a tadpole in the hand of a
Pufferfish males construct these circles as spawning nests by swimming and wriggling in the seafloor sand. The nests, used only once, are made to attract females.
Pufferfish (Torquigener albomaculosus) found in Japan create circles with geometric designs about six feet (2 meters) in diameter that are found on the seafloor. (SUNY)
This parasitic plant known as Balanophora coralliformis has elongated and rough-textured tubers that grow above ground. It can be found in the Philippines. (SUNY)
The cartwheeling spider, also known as Cebrennus rechenbergi, spins like a gymnast to get itself out of a dangerous situation. (Technical University Berlin)