Researchers from HUN-REN ATK discovered 90 previously unknown animal species in 2025

A better understanding of pest groups is of paramount importance for plant protection, and knowledge of soil biodiversity is also a critical task for soil health, which aligns well with the main objective of HUN-REN ATK: the “healthy environment, healthy food” approach. In 2025, researchers from the Department of Zoology discovered 90 previously unknown animal species, including 62 snails, 24 mites living in soil and on plants, one scale insect, and two bugs.

The geographical scope of the research reflects its global nature: the findings come from areas ranging from Iceland through Southeast Asia and South America all the way to the United States. In addition, the researchers described several species that lived in earlier geological periods and had not previously been recorded in scientific literature.

The vast majority of the research was conducted through international collaboration, indicating that these studies are part of the international scientific community and that HUN-REN ATK researchers are key players in this network at the international level.

In addition to the discovery of many new species, 2025 brought significant progress: thanks to a successful grant, artificial intelligence tools are now being applied in taxonomic research, meaning that even the most conservative scientific fields are advancing with the help of the most modern methods.