Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Number Of Earth's Species Known To Scientists Rises To 1.9 Million

A twisted nudibranch, (Chromodoris Elizabethina), on the reef face off Heron Island, discovered by researchers last year. Photograph: Gary Cranitch/Queensland Museum

From The Guardian:

The world's most comprehensive catalogue of plants and animals has been boosted by 114,000 new species in the past three years.

The number of species on the planet that have been documented by scientists has risen to 1.9 million, according to the world's most comprehensive catalogue of plants and animals.

The new figure has been boosted by 114,000 new species discovered since the catalogue was last compiled by Australian researchers three years ago – a 6.3% increase.

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