@skinnylatte A lot of those species are in the karst forests above (or, in entrance zones, near skylights, etc because theres some BIG caves there!) they are so cool! I really want to cave on that side of the world some day 🥰

It takes on average 20 years to describe a new species. I know how many we are stalled on, trying to get described, trying to find specialists. Taxonomy and species description at least in the “western world” is so rarely focused on anymore. Most specialists have passed at this point, and universities not teaching it and without the skills passed on, it is becoming a dying art.

Categorizing species has its own pitfalls (i wont digress to philosophy here) but plainly speaking, not being able to describe something means - in this world as it is - lack of ability to protect it as something unique. And, along with the loss of folks good at taxonomy comes the loss of basic science skills that went along with it - observing critters, developing understanding of their lives, of how they are. (Ok I am gonna digress a little - this is why I love community science. Make your observations! Trained or not, being able to observe and make notes and put pieces together is just good skills! Learn how to think critically, how to spot logic flaws, how to observe, form hypothesis and check them!)

If we don’t know, if we don’t understand our world, we cant begin to try to protect it. Understanding is so key to living together and sharing this amazing planet. 🥰