8.7 million species exist on Earth, study estimates

There are unlimited amounts of species in the world. Because it is constantly changing as well, some species die out, and there will be more due to evolution. We'll never, never, discover every species. I just started reading my Biology book actually and it mentioned this. It's definitely interesting.

 

Well, of course. There are a lot of different things that live here.

However, I can only think of mammals, such as humans and dogs, carnivores, such as sharks, and a few other things, but not 8.7 million.

I do have to wonder where they came up with 8.7 million.

 

It would be amazing to know all the species, but alas, it's impossible. Most people are not capable of fathoming the immense amount of creatures and plants on the planet. I can't believe anything other than they have discovered approx 8.7 million different species around the world, because we have yet to go to the deepest part of the oceans, the deepest part of the desert, jungle, etc. I believe many of the already existing ecosystems contain thousands of species yet to be discovered.

Also, people specialize in naming new creatures being discovered, which happens to be thousands and thousands a year.
It's an exciting world we live in!

 

Well, there are also plants, fungi and such to consider as well, because they're also living things too. o;

But on Noroz' post, everything is evolving as time goes on, so more and more species will appears as a result. Though I do wonder if they accounted for mutations in this as well (i.e. mutations in bacteria and such). I honestly don't think they'd ever be able to track all of them, but the fact they're attempting to do so can really shine some light as to what really exists on the planet, y'know?

 

A mutant is not considered another species, I think. However, if it turns out to be a mutation in which it benefits the species to such an extent that they (the mutants) have a higher survival and reproduction rate, it will most likely be considered a species. Though I might be mistaken and that people consider a mutant to be its own species.

Of course, as I've already said, they can't pinpoint the amount of species there are, but I do like that they try to, simply because it's very interesting.

 

I guess that's interesting to find out. But you can't really blame anyone for not finding as many marine animals compared to land animals, because we can't go that deep underwater yet. Still, we've got a long way to go. But if someone finds something like a mythical creature, then I think we've got a problem