Hong Kong discovers 27 new ant species in less than a year

At least 27 additional species of ant have been discovered in Hong Kong in the past year - a dozen of them potentially new to science - according to University of Hong Kong researchers who unveiled the world's first online databank on global ant distribution yesterday.

There are more than 15,000 recorded species of ant on the planet - each with their own unique appearance and features - and they play important ecological roles ranging from soil nutrient circulation and aeration to seed dispersal for plants.

The findings, once verified, would mean the city is now home to over 190 species of ant, an increase from the 170 recorded nearly 20 years ago. And more discoveries are expected, says assistant professor Dr Benoit Guénard, one of the lead researchers, who is studying insect biodiversity using ants.

In comparison, there are 714 species in Ecuador, 736 species in Zaire, 867 in Malaysian Borneo and 1,458 in the Australian state of Queensland. Guangdong has 228 and Taiwan 288.

"It's astonishing to be discovering new life almost every week," said Guénard, who estimates there could be upwards of 250 species in the city upon further study.