How Many Species Are There on Earth?

Most of Earth's species remain unknown to science. Marine biologist and taxonomist Dr. Manuel Caballero Gutierrez explains how scientists estimate global biodiversity and why humanity may currently know only about 25 percent of the species that exist. He walks through taxonomy as scientific detective work, from deep-sea expeditions and specimen collection to anatomical study, DNA analysis, museum archives, formal naming, and publication. The episode examines biodiversity loss, why the shortage of taxonomists matters, how scientific knowledge can disappear with individual specialists, and why species may go extinct before humanity knows they exist. An expansive introduction to biodiversity, ocean exploration, and the ecological research that conservation depends upon.

Episode Guests: Dr. Manuel Callebar Gutierrez

Browse Dr. Callebar Gutierrez’s publications on Research Gate

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Audio Editing by Clark Marchese, Video Editing by Oscar Padula

Videography and Set Design by Le Studio Du Passage

Cover Art by Laurel Wong

Theme music by Nela Ruiz

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