A study by Camilo Mora and colleagues estimates that there are approximately 8.7 million eukaryotic species on Earth, of which about 2.2 million are marine. This estimate is based on analyzing higher taxonomic classifications and using regression models to predict species numbers. Despite 250 years of taxonomic classification and over 1.2 million species already cataloged, the study suggests that 86% of Earth's species and 91% of marine species remain to be described. The research highlights the need for renewed exploration and taxonomy to close this knowledge gap. The study also notes that prokaryotes, which include bacteria and archaea, are difficult to estimate due to their high genetic diversity and the challenges in isolating species. The findings emphasize the importance of improving data quality and increasing taxonomic efforts to better understand global biodiversity. The study's results provide a more precise estimate of species numbers, narrowing the range previously suggested by taxonomic experts from 3 to 100 million. The research underscores the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss and the need for continued efforts in species discovery and cataloging.A study by Camilo Mora and colleagues estimates that there are approximately 8.7 million eukaryotic species on Earth, of which about 2.2 million are marine. This estimate is based on analyzing higher taxonomic classifications and using regression models to predict species numbers. Despite 250 years of taxonomic classification and over 1.2 million species already cataloged, the study suggests that 86% of Earth's species and 91% of marine species remain to be described. The research highlights the need for renewed exploration and taxonomy to close this knowledge gap. The study also notes that prokaryotes, which include bacteria and archaea, are difficult to estimate due to their high genetic diversity and the challenges in isolating species. The findings emphasize the importance of improving data quality and increasing taxonomic efforts to better understand global biodiversity. The study's results provide a more precise estimate of species numbers, narrowing the range previously suggested by taxonomic experts from 3 to 100 million. The research underscores the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss and the need for continued efforts in species discovery and cataloging.