The pholcid
species cumulative curve
- Only
9 (still valid) species of Pholcidae were described in the first 100
years after Linné,
compared to almost 1900 species in the last 100 years.
- 71%
of the
known species (almost 1450 of 2050) have been described since the year
2000.
These
numbers suggest that - given the resources - it will be possible
to describe a large percentage of the roughly 2500-5000 undescribed
species
within a
few decades.
For an estimate of actual species numbers, see here.
(c) B.A. Huber; latest update: February 2025

Below:
Why not?
