New Species

New Species Podcast
  • 4.6 (16)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Just a fraction of the species on our planet are known to science, but more are described and published every day. This podcast talks to the authors of these new species to get the behind-the-scenes stories of how new species are found and named, as well as why these discoveries should matter to everyone, not just scientists. Join us on our journey to better understand the wonderful biodiversity of our planet! Be sure to follow New Species on Twitter (@PodcastSpecies), and support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/NewSpeciesPod

  1. TRAILER

    Coming Soon - New Species en Español!

    New Species en Español will be a Spanish-language version of the New Species Podcast, hosted by Ivonne Garzón. Subscribe to it here: https://open.spotify.com/user/31jdpbfn26x3w7sa2b76db3z2vxa?si=160a1a8eac644f00Or wherever you get your podcasts.

    2 min
  2. No New Species! With Takahiro Sugiyama, Ryutaro Goto, & Chloé Fourreau

    APR 1

    No New Species! With Takahiro Sugiyama, Ryutaro Goto, & Chloé Fourreau

    Sometimes, a collection of new species turns out to be… no new species! Takahiro Sugiyama, Ryutaro Goto, and Chloé Fourreau began studying the unique ectoparasitic scale worm Gastrolepidia clavigera in part because of its fascinating diversity of color, likely contributing to its ability to camouflage on sea cucumbers. After some genetic work, they found that this entire rainbow of scale worms all actually seem to belong to the same species!  Takahiro Sugiyama, Ryutaro Goto, and Chloé Fourreau’s paper “Host specific camouflage in a holothurian-ectoparasitic scale worm: testing the host-race hypothesis using COI and genome-wide SNP data” is in volume 173 of Marine Biology  It can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-025-04744-y Episode image credit: Takahiro Sugiyama and Ryutaro Goto A New Species episode with Chloé on Polychaete worms: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0aH2bPNb4u3wOrONIYfZkp?si=7i0lzzSlSjWfsXce436-3g Follow Chloé on instagram and Bluesky: @chaoticchloeia Follow the MISE lab on instagram: @mise_lab Read Takahiro’s recent paper about the scale worms that live on sea stars: doi.org/10.3800/pbr.15.289 Original description of G. clavigera: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/50342#page/8/mode/1up Be sure to follow New Species on Bluesky (@newspeciespodcast.bsky.social) and Instagram (@NewSpeciesPodcast) and “like” the podcast page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NewSpeciesPodcast). Music in this podcast is "No More (Instrumental)," by HaTom (https://fanlink.to/HaTom) If you have questions or feedback about this podcast, please e-mail us at NewSpeciesPodcast@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast and enjoy bonus episodes, please consider doing so at https://www.patreon.com/NewSpeciesPodIf you would like to make a one-time contribution to this podcast, you can do so at https://buymeacoffee.com/newspeciespod

    38 min
  3. Two New Trapdoor Spiders with Donard Geci

    MAR 31

    Two New Trapdoor Spiders with Donard Geci

    Donard Geci fell into studying spiders by accident, but now he can’t imagine his life without them. He’s one of the only arachnologists in the Balkans, a hotspot for spiders as well as plenty of other flora and fauna. It’s difficult, he says, “but you have many things to do here because many groups are unexplored.” Trapdoor spiders are masterful architects, and there is so much work to do in order to better understand their relationships to one another. Fortunately, Donard isn’t deterred at all and wants to encourage even more scientists to study the amazing quantity of life found in the Balkans.  Donard Geci’s paper “Trapdoor spiders of the family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from Kosovo” is in volume 20, issue 2 of Arachnology.  It can be found here: www.doi.org/10.13156/arac.2025.20.2.281 A transcript of this episode can be found here: Donard Geci - Transcript   New Species: Brachythele kosovarica, Nemesia dukagjinica Episode image credit: Donard Geci A New Trapdoor Spider with Christian Pertegal: available in english and in spanish An episode with Alireza Zamani: https://www.newspeciespodcast.net/all-episodes/e28-a-new-species-named-because-of-this-podcast-and-another-after-the-father-of-modern-medicine First DNA Barcoding of Dysderidae: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5653.4.2 New Eratigena from the Balkans based on an integrative approach: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.1.6 Find Donard on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donardgecii And on X: https://x.com/donard_geci Be sure to follow New Species on Bluesky (@newspeciespodcast.bsky.social) and Instagram (@NewSpeciesPodcast) and “like” the podcast page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NewSpeciesPodcast). Music in this podcast is "No More (Instrumental)," by HaTom (https://fanlink.to/HaTom) If you have questions or feedback about this podcast, please e-mail us at NewSpeciesPodcast@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast and enjoy bonus episodes, please consider doing so at https://www.patreon.com/NewSpeciesPod If you would like to make a one-time contribution to this podcast, you can do so at https://buymeacoffee.com/newspeciespod

    32 min
  4. Two New Tachinid Flies with Rodrigo Dios

    MAR 24

    Two New Tachinid Flies with Rodrigo Dios

    There are plenty of taxonomists who use museum collections as a resource, but not everyone makes collections the basis of their work. Rodrigo Dios studies Tachinid flies, a group that displays some of the most diverse parasitism behavior of all animals. By reorganizing and rediscribing museum specimens, he finds that we have a lot to learn from both flies and museum collections. “It's crazy,” says Rodrigo, about working in collections. “You can actually assess all this knowledge, all this variation between time and between space as well. It's like infinite knowledge.” Rodrigo Dios’ paper “Taxonomic update on Cordyligasterini, new generic synonyms and new species of Neosophia Guimarães” is in volume 29 of Entomological Science.  It can be found here: www.doi.org/10.1111/ens.70003 A transcript of this episode can be found here: Rodrigo Dios - English Transcript This transcript translated into portuguese: Rodrigo Dios - Portuguese Transcript   New Species: Neosophia argentifasciata, Neosophia pakitza Episode image credit: Rodrigo Dios Follow Rodrigo on Instagram: @rodrigodios Rodrigo’s paper about the fly that lays eggs on plants: www.doi.org/10.6620/ZS.2024.63-54Connect with Rodrigo on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/rodrigodios Don’t be shy! Contact Rodrigo about flies: rodrigodios@gmail.com Be sure to follow New Species on Bluesky (@newspeciespodcast.bsky.social) and Instagram (@NewSpeciesPodcast) and “like” the podcast page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NewSpeciesPodcast). Music in this podcast is "No More (Instrumental)," by HaTom (https://fanlink.to/HaTom) If you have questions or feedback about this podcast, please e-mail us at NewSpeciesPodcast@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast and enjoy bonus episodes, please consider doing so at https://www.patreon.com/NewSpeciesPod If you would like to make a one-time contribution to this podcast, you can do so at https://buymeacoffee.com/newspeciespod

    41 min
  5. A Bug's Life (1998) with Jesse and Charleigh Hurlburt

    FEB 23

    A Bug's Life (1998) with Jesse and Charleigh Hurlburt

    “The queen especially was not like, like totally not like mad mad, but like mad at him…” That analysis is from Charleigh (age 6 ), who I talked to along with her dad Jesse (older than 6) about the 1998 classic A Bug’s Life! We discussed serious matters such as the number of legs ants have, if insects have blood, and if the movie missed an opportunity by not including a dung beetle (I think they did).  Charleigh and Jesse co-host the amazing podcast arthropod adventures, which teaches listeners about arthropods they might see in their backyard. Stay inquisitive and never stop learning with me as I talk to them in this very silly bonus episode! Our ratings: Scientific accuracy 🐜 🐜 🐜 Enjoyability 🐜 🐜 🐜 🐜 Bonus episodes are typically reviews of creature-feature horror movies by me and a scientist with expertise relevant to the film. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to more of them for free on Patreon.com/newspeciespod Check out arthropod adventures wherever you get your podcasts Follow them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563432847704 And instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthropod_adventures_podcast/ Check out their merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/jhurlburt33/shop?asc=u Learn more about the Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ One-time podcast support: buymeacoffee.com/newspeciespod Be sure to follow New Species on Bluesky (@newspeciespodcast.bsky.social) and Instagram (@NewSpeciesPodcast) and “like” the podcast page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NewSpeciesPodcast). If you have questions or feedback about this podcast, please e-mail us at NewSpeciesPodcast@gmail.com

    40 min

  6. JAN 16

    New Species Census 2026

    Hi everyone, incredibly it's time for the third biennial New Species Census! Every two years I ask listeners to answer a few questions about who they are, how they listen, and what they would like from the podcast in the future. Take the survey: https://forms.gle/V8G9VSKxfvaxhxdx5 The survey will be open until February 13th 2026, after which time I'll post a summary of the feedback on instagram.* Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts! I'm so grateful to everyone who listens to this little hobby podcast, and your feedback really helps it to grow. If you have general feedback or have missed the window, you can always email me at newspeciespodcast@gmail.com. Thank you as always for listening! *Please note there are a few people confused - the New Species Podcast instagram is @newspeciespodcast! There is another account called New Species which is not me.

    1 min
  7. A New Isopod with Benedikt Kästle

    JAN 15

    A New Isopod with Benedikt Kästle

    Do you ever wonder if your pet could be a new species? Paleontologist Benedikt Kästle took a closer look at his, and it led to a brand new genus and species! Also known as woodlice, these popular pets are easy to keep and easier to enjoy for the way they skitter and roll up. Benedikt explains that his scientific background can help members of the isopod community connect the valuable experience they have from rearing isopods to the broader research community, where much about isopods is still unknown. Benedikt does this both through his instagram account and in his conversations with hobbyists from around the world, and it makes an impact. This new species is one of many that went undescribed for many years. Now its name is known from Martinique to Germany and beyond. Listen to this episode for a story that celebrates the humble roly poly in all its diversity and mystery. Benedikt Kästle’s paper “Description of a new genus and species of terrestrial isopod (Oniscidea, Armadillidae) endemic to Martinique” is in volume 47 issue 29 of Zoosystema.  It can be found here: https://doi.org/10.5252/zoosystema-2025v47a29 A transcript of this episode can be found here: Benedikt Kästle - Transcript New Species: Caribodillo martinicensis Follow Benedikt on instagram: @sumerian.demon Episode image credit: Benedikt Kästle Be sure to follow New Species on Bluesky (@newspeciespodcast.bsky.social) and Instagram (@NewSpeciesPodcast) and “like” the podcast page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NewSpeciesPodcast). Music in this podcast is "No More (Instrumental)," by HaTom (https://fanlink.to/HaTom) If you have questions or feedback about this podcast, please e-mail us at NewSpeciesPodcast@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast and enjoy bonus episodes, please consider doing so at https://www.patreon.com/NewSpeciesPod

    44 min
  8. All About Stoneflies with Anna Eichert

    12/31/2025

    All About Stoneflies with Anna Eichert

    Stoneflies, or Plecoptera, are an order of insects with around 4,000 species. But that’s about to change. In her paper “Stonefly systematics: past, present, and future,” Anna Eichert and her colleagues from around the world map out the way stoneflies have changed as a group over time, some of the factors that shape our current understanding of the stoneflies, and what can change in the future to make sure our knowledge of stonefly diversity continues to grow. Learn from Anna’s account of her experiences and her passion for stoneflies in this episode, and next time you encounter a stream, flip over a rock or two. Anna Eichert’s paper “Stonefly systematics: past, present, and future” is in volume 9, issue 4 of Insect Systematics and Diversity.  It can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixaf026 A transcript of this episode can be found here: Anna Eichert - Transcript Episode image credit: Anna Eichert Email Anna: aeichert@amnh.org Follow Anna on Instagram: @annaeichert, @bugtimez And Bluesky: @annaeichert.bsky.social‬ Be sure to follow New Species on Bluesky (@newspeciespodcast.bsky.social) and Instagram (@NewSpeciesPodcast) and like the podcast page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NewSpeciesPodcast). Music in this podcast is "No More (Instrumental)," by HaTom (https://fanlink.to/HaTom) If you have questions or feedback about this podcast, please e-mail us at NewSpeciesPodcast@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast and enjoy bonus episodes, please consider doing so at https://www.patreon.com/NewSpeciesPod

    30 min
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Trailer

4.6
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Just a fraction of the species on our planet are known to science, but more are described and published every day. This podcast talks to the authors of these new species to get the behind-the-scenes stories of how new species are found and named, as well as why these discoveries should matter to everyone, not just scientists. Join us on our journey to better understand the wonderful biodiversity of our planet! Be sure to follow New Species on Twitter (@PodcastSpecies), and support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/NewSpeciesPod

Information

  • Creator
    New Species Podcast
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © New Species Podcast
  • Show Website
    New Species

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