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Species
It is not known how many species there are on planet Earth. Species are found almost everywhere on the planet including deep down in the oceans where only the latest submersibles can reach them.
Approximately 1.5 million species have been identified and named. However it is thought that there are at least 10 million different species on the planet and the vast majority may not even have been seen by human beings let alone identified and named!
Species extinction
Species extinction is usually a natural phenomenon; it is estimated that 99.9% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct (EXTINCT).
The fossil record shows that at least five mass extinctions.
These happened without mankind polluting and destroying eco systems around the world. (MASS)
(MASS) mass extinctions - accessed 28/9/10
Carcharhinus falciformis Silky shark User: fishx6 image in public domain |
Orectolobus maculatus Spotted Wobbegong shark User: Rling GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 |
Hydrolagus alberti shortnose chimera NOAA image in public domain |
Ginglymostoma cirratum Nurse shark Source: NOAA image in public domain |
A species is defined as those lifeforms which can breed with each other and produce fertile offspring that are, in the main, identical to the parents.
Describing species and classifying them is the science of taxonomy.
Heptranchias perlo Sharpnose sevengill shark National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Image in public domain |
Triakis semifasciata Leopard shark User: Mfield Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported |
Carcharhinus melanopterus Blacktip Reef shark User: Dlloyd GNU Free Documentation License version 1.2 |
Negaprion brevirostris lemon shark User: albert kok GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 |