International Institute for Species Exploration unveiled the Top Ten New Species

The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University on 23 May 2012 unveiled a list of the 10 best newly discovered species of 2011.  A monkey found in the high mountains of Myanmar, Rhinopithecus stryker, figured in the list. A beautiful but venomous jellyfish, a night-blooming orchid and an ancient walking cactus creature are also on the list.

The top 10 is intended to bring attention to the biodiversity crisis and the unsung species explorers and museums who continue a 250-year tradition of discovering and describing the millions of kinds of plants, animals and microbes with whom we share this planet. An international committee came out with the final list from more than 200 nominations of species that capture our attention because they are unusual.