Kyle Hawkins- Environmental/ GIS Specialist
Biodiversity Month, held every September, is a national initiative that celebrates connecting with and caring for nature, led by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW, 2024). Biodiversity Month encourages people to connect with nature by reflecting on First Nations’ knowledge of country, and participating in citizen science, including programs such as Bush Blitz, which aims to document plants and animals across Australia (BushBlitz, 2023).
To celebrate Biodiversity Month, Integrate Sustainability Pty Ltd is highlighting some of the new species recently discovered and described in Western Australia. This Insight also explores why finding new species matters, the new techniques being used for discovering new species, as well as the potential benefits that the existence of new species reveals. In a state as vast and as diverse as Western Australia, even the smallest living thing could contribute to our understanding of our unique ecosystems.
New Species
Carnarvon flapjack Octopus (Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis)
The Carnarvon flapjack octopus lives about 1,044 to 1,510m deep in the ocean in the Carnarvon Canyon Marine Park. Dr Tristan Verhoeff identified the octopus from 5 specimens and described the species. The Carnarvon flapjack octopus is a small, jelly-like animal with a body measuring 40 millimetres (including tentacles, 190 millimetres in total), a short dome, and orange-brown skin covering its body, accompanied by blood-red tentacles (Verhoeff, 2025). The Carnarvon flapjack octopus, like other flapjack octopus species, can flatten its body like a pancake and has large eyes to help see in the dark. Flapjacks are a type of dumbo octopus, which is named for its large flippers on its head. There are about 50 species of dumbo octopus worldwide, 15 of which are found in Australian waters. Other than that, not much is known about its ecology; it may be found beyond its current recorded location (CSIRO, 2025a).
The octopus was discovered in a CSIRO-led voyage in 2022 by the research vessel Investigator (Verhoeff, 2025). Dr John Keesing led the voyage, which also found other new species, such as the Painted Hornshark and the Parallel-spine Scorpionfish. The octopuses were collected using nets and sleds, and then photographed with high-tech cameras (CSIRO, 2025a). Tristan Verhoeff then examined features such as beaks and tentacle suckers and categorised the octopuses based on similar shapes in these features (Verhoeff, 2025).
Long-eared kultarr (Antechinomys auritus)
The Long-eared kultarr is a small carnivorous mammal found in central and western Australia. Its relatives, the eastern kultarr (Antechinomys laniger) and the gibber kultarr (Antechinomys spenceri) are 7.5 and 9cm long respectively; the Long-eared kultarr is the middle-sized species between them. Despite its size, it has long ears that are as long as its head, long, thin limbs, brown fur, and, like the rest of the genus, a long tail that ends in a dark brush. The Long-eared Kultarr rests on its hind legs, similar to the hopping mouse. However, the Kultarr runs on all fours, comparable to the motion of a greyhound, but the Kultarr moves so fast it gives the appearance that it is hopping. It lives in flat, open gibber and sandplains scattered between dunefields from the Simpson Desert to the Carnarvon Basin and is an insectivore (Dodd, et al., 2025).
Long thought to be a single species, Antechinomys laniger, studies from the 1970s led to the suggestion that it may be a few different species. A genetic study conducted in 2023 suggested that A. laniger may be composed of three species (Westerman, Umbrello, & Woolley, 2003; Dodd, et al., 2025). Researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA), the Western Australian Museum, and Queensland University of Technology further investigated the issue by using genetic data and comparing skull measurements between specimens to confirm the existence of three species (Dodd, et al., 2025). Kultarrs are rare, making it difficult to determine their population size or the extent of their threat. The long-eared and gibber kultarrs are not in immediate trouble, but clearing and invasive species may have reduced their numbers. Populations of the eastern kultarr have faced significant decline, particularly in northwestern Queensland and the Northern Territory, making the species increasingly threatened (Dodd, et al., 2025).
Voldemort-like ant (Leptanilla voldemort)
There is a unique species of Leptanilla ant in the Pilbara that resembles Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series. The Leptanilla species of ants have small colony sizes and spend their whole lives underground. Individuals are very small, measuring less than 2mm long, pale-coloured, and blind. They are surprisingly fierce and are also known to take down much larger animals, such as centipedes, to feed on. What makes Leptanilla voldemort unique in the genus is its slender body, characterised by long legs, antennae, and mandibles, which almost resemble a ghost or a skeleton. It’s these traits that led to the naming of the species after the dark wizard character (Wong & McRae, 2024).
The species is known from only two individuals, both collected in March 2023, from a mining exploration drill hole at a depth of 25 metres. They used a subterranean scraping method where a net was placed at the bottom of the hole and dragged back up along the walls. Not much else is known about how Leptanilla voldemort lived, apart from guesses based on other species in the genus. Although there are 61 Leptanilla species worldwide, primarily found in Eurasia, only two have been recorded in Australia. The other Leptanilla species found in Australia is L. swani, which has a compact body shape more typical of the genus (Wong & McRae, 2024).
Why does finding new species matter?
Discovering, naming, describing, and classifying new species (known as Taxonomy) is more than scientific curiosity. Taxonomy provides the knowledge to understand and manage biodiversity, supporting decision-making across Government, science, and industry (DCCEEW, 2025). This information is used to:
- Select and manage areas/ ecosystems to be protected,
- Regulate biological trade,
- Select and manage threatened species,
- Biosecurity and invasive species management,
- Understand the impacts of climate change (DCCEEW, 2025)
The 2009 report (Number of Living Species in Australia and the World (2nd edition)), published by the Australian Government, estimated that there are about 570,000 species in Australia, of which nearly 150,000 are accepted published species. Meaning around three-quarters of Australia’s biodiversity remains undiscovered (DCCEEW, 2025).
Western Australia stands out from other states for its levels of endemism, which is species not found elsewhere in the country or world (DCCEEW, 2021). Western Australia’s high levels of endemism is linked to size, ranges in climate, and the ages and nutrient-poor soils (Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, 2025). These unique conditions have allowed species and ecosystems to evolve in isolation. As a result, discovering new species in Western Australia is particularly important, as they and their supporting ecosystem are unlikely to occur elsewhere.
How are new species being found?
New species in Western Australia are being discovered through a combination of government-funded initiatives, university and scientific institution collaborations, citizen science, and baseline biological surveys conducted for approval processes (DCCEEW, 2025; BushBlitz, 2023; CSIRO, 2025c; CSIRO, 2025b; UWA, 2025; UWA, 2024).
While some new species are discovered and identified through traditional surveys and the comparison of physical features, new techniques are quickly evolving for finding and identifying new species. Some of these include:
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) – identifying species from traces of DNA in the environment and comparing sequences to those of known specimens, making it easier to tell whether or not it’s a new species (Museum of Western Australia, 2025; CSIRO Media, 2013; Beasley, 2020).
- Combining genetic analysis with physical traits – comparing physical features still has its place, but can be complemented and refined by DNA sequencing using genetic samples obtained from physical samples (Dodd, et al., 2025; Klunzinger, et al., 2022).
- Bioacoustics – listening to sounds made by target species, helping to identify species difficult to find with traditional methods, including ones considered endangered, and potentially expanding their known range (Evans, 2017).
- Camera technology that can operate deep underwater – a deep-towed camera can look at deep-sea animals down to 3,900-4,000 metres deep with high-resolution video and still photos (CSIRO, 2025d; Gwynn, 2023).
What are the benefits of finding new species?
Finding a new species in Western Australia could result in a wide range of benefits across science, society, and industry, including:
- Increased understanding of ecosystems and potential impacts – Each new species contributes to our knowledge of local ecosystems, predictions of environmental changes, and aids in managing biodiversity.
- Boosts to tourism and public interests.
- Increased cultural appreciation of WA’s landscapes and First Nations’ connection to country.
- Contributions to medicine and new products.
For industry, the discovery of a new species offers an opportunity to demonstrate environmental leadership and innovation. For potential developments, identifying and communicating a new species early in the planning process enables the adjustment of project layouts, fosters stronger relationships with the Government and communities, and creates potential opportunities for collaboration with scientists and conservation groups, all reinforcing the idea that industry and nature can coexist.
Integrate Sustainability Pty Ltd can provide guidance on managing biodiversity on your land or for your project. If you’d like to learn more about what we can do for you, please call us at 08 9468 0338 or email us at enquiries@integratesustainability.com.au.
ISPL- Unearthing Hidden Biodiversity- PDF
References
Beasley, V. (2020, June 24). Shy species detected through new DNA technique. Retrieved from Curtin University: https://www.curtin.edu.au/news/media-release/shy-species-detected-through-new-dna-technique/
BushBlitz. (2023). BushBlitz. Retrieved from Bush Blitz is Australia’s largest nature discovery program: https://bushblitz.org.au/
Chapman, A. D. (2009). Number of Living Species in Australia and the World (2nd edition). Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Retrieved from https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/env/pages/2ee3f4a1-f130-465b-9c7a-79373680a067/files/nlsaw-2nd-complete.pdf
CSIRO. (2025a, May 20). New species of octopus discovered in a deep-sea canyon. Retrieved from CSIRO: https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2025/May/New-species-of-octopus-discovered-in-a-deep-sea-canyon
CSIRO. (2025b). Biodiversity. Retrieved from CSIRO: https://gisera.csiro.au/research/terrestrial-biodiversity/
CSIRO. (2025c). New Species List- Meet some of the new marine life that RV Investigator has helped discover and describe. Retrieved from CSIRO: https://www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities-collections/mnf/about/mnf-impact/new-species
CSIRO. (2025d). Deep towed and drop camera systems. Retrieved from CSIRO: https://www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities-collections/mnf/research-vessel-equipment-data/deployable-equipment/deep-towed-and-drop-cameras
CSIRO Media. (2013, March 25). DNA technology set to speed up species discovery. Retrieved from CSIROpedia: https://csiropedia.csiro.au/dna-technology-set-to-speed-up-species-discovery/
DCCEEW. (2021). Biodiversity- Flora and Fauna. Retrieved from Australia State of the Environment Report: https://soe.dcceew.gov.au/biodiversity/environment/flora-and-fauna
DCCEEW. (2024). Biodiversity Month. Retrieved from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/biodiversity-month
DCCEEW. (2025). Australian Biological Resources Study. Retrieved from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/science-research/abrs
Dodd, C., Catullo, R., Baker, A. M., Travouillon, K., Umbrello, L., & Westerman, M. (2025). Cryptic Kultarr: Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Unrecognized Species of Carnivorous Marsupial (Dasyuridae: Antechinomys) in Arid Australia. Ecology and Evolution. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71618
Evans, J. (2017, October 28). Wildlife Officials Find Evidence of Rare Australian Bird. Retrieved from VOA News: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/australian-rangers-find-evidence-of-rare-bird/4082821.html
Gwynn, L. (2023, January 5). Specialised CSIRO cameras capture new species 4,000m under the ocean. Retrieved from ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-05/specialised-csiro-cameras-capture-creatures-4kms-under-sea/101828374
Klunzinger, M. W., Whisson, C., Zieritz, A., Benson, J. A., Stewart, B. A., & Kirkendale, L. (2022). Integrated taxonomy reveals new threatened freshwater mussels (Bivalva: Hyriidae: Westralunio) from southwestern Australia. Nature. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24767-5
Museum of Western Australia. (2025). The role of DNA in species discovery. Retrieved from Museum of Western Australia: https://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/blogs/msu/role-dna-species-discovery
UWA. (2024). New Species of ant found pottering under the Pilbara. Retrieved from The University of Western Australia: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2024/april/new-species-of-ant-found-pottering-under-the-pilbara
UWA. (2025). New species of ‘dunny frogs’ found in Queensland and Western Australia”. Retrieved from The University of Western Australia: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2025/march/new-species-of-dunny-frogs-found-in-queensland-and-western-australia
Verhoeff, T. J. (2025). Flapjack octopods of Australia (Cephalopoda: Cirrata: Opisthoteuthidae), Part II northwestern Australia and adjacent waters. Australian Journal of Taxonomy, 1-28. doi:https://doi.org/10.54102/ajt.c46g9
Westerman, M., Umbrello, L., & Woolley, P. A. (2003). On the composition of Antechynomys (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae): how many species? Australian Journal of Zoology, 95-103. doi:https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO22041
Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute. (2025). Western Australia’s unique biodiversity. Retrieved from Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute: https://wabsi.org.au/our-work/was-unique-biodiversity/
Wong, M. K., & McRae, J. M. (2024). Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov., a gracile new species of the hypogaeic ant genus Leptanilla (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Pilbara, with a key to Australian Leptanilla. ZooKeys, 171-182. doi:https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1197.114072
