The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.

Learn more about some recent new species discoveries:

‘Armored’ creature with ‘whip’-like tail pulled from river. It’s a new species

In southeastern Brazil, researchers discovered a new species named Rineloricaria buckupi, or Buckup’s whiptail catfish, in the rivers near Rio de Janeiro. This “armored” catfish, covered in body plates and sporting a “whip”-like tail, was found in shallow streams often near bridges

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