據美國國家地理網站報道，"國家地理新聞"網站最受歡迎的年度十大科學發現已經新鮮出爐。在此次十大科學發現排行榜上，巨蟒、長著透明腦袋的魚、"幽靈船"殘骸以及一些最終被我們吃掉的稀有動物紛紛榜上有名。

    1.人類進化缺失一環 連接人類與狐猴 "Missing Link" Found: Fossil Connects Humans, Lemurs?

    靈長類動物"艾達"的化石年代可追溯到4700萬年前，于5月20日被揭開神秘面紗。一些科學家表示，這是有關人類進化的一項重大發現。艾達化石是"國家地理新聞"網站2009年點擊率最高的圖片。但有些專家認為，這一化石的發現更是媒體事件，而非具有里程碑意義的事件。

    The 47-million-year-old, exceptionally preserved primate fossil "Ida," unveiled on May 20, was hailed by some as a major discovery in human evolution.

    The publicity frenzy made National Geographic News's brief coverage our most viewed page of the year-and inspired a backlash as some experts, including one here at Nat Geo HQ, suggested Ida was more media event than milestone.

    2.長著透明頭的魚 Fish With Transparent Head Seen Alive for First Time

    長著透明頭的魚可能是2009年最為怪異的一項自然發現。在2月公布的照片中，這條生活在太平洋的管眼魚正在炫耀它的透明腦袋以及管狀眼睛。據悉，這是迄今為止發現的第一個活標本。

    Perhaps the most bizarre nature discovery of the year-though Stephen Colbert put it a bit less delicately-a Pacific barreleye fish shows off its transparent head and barrel-like eyes in pictures released on February of the first specimen ever found alive.

    3.新云型 New Cloud Type Discovered?

    新發現的云型昵稱"雅克·庫斯托云".專家們6月表示，天空中出現的這些"狂暴"的云海是自1951年以來首次觀察到的新云型。

    Nicknamed "Jacques Cousteau" clouds, these "turbulent" seas in the sky could be examples of the first official new cloud type since 1951, experts said in June.

    4.已"滅絕"鳥類 "Extinct" Bird Seen, Eaten

    專家們2月表示，長久以來一直被打上"滅絕"標簽的菲律賓鵪鶉仍然健在。不幸的是，在第一次拍照之后，這只罕見的鵪鶉便淪為家禽市場上被出售的對象并最終被吃掉。

    Long believed to be extinct, a rare quail from the Philippines was photographed for the first time ever-then sold at a poultry market, experts said in February.

    5.最古老人類祖先骨骼化石 Oldest Skeleton of Human Ancestor Found

    10月進行的一項骨骼化石研究顯示，人類與現代猿之間并不存在類黑猩猩動物這樣缺失的一環。最古老人類祖先骨骼化石的發現將改寫人類進化史。一名科學家說："它將改變一切。"

    There was never a chimp-like missing link between humans and today's apes, according to an October fossil-skeleton study that could rewrite human evolutionary history. Said one scientist, "It changes everything."

    6.淘金熱時期"幽靈船"殘骸 Gold Rush-Era "Ghost Ship" Wreck Found

    考古學家11月表示，在最近重見天日的"A.J. 戈達德"號明輪船殘骸上，人們發現了當時被匆匆扔到甲板上的靴子以及散落的餐具。這些發現有助于了解這艘淘金熱時期"幽靈船"上的船員生命的最后時刻。

    With boots thrown hastily on deck and cooking utensils scattered, the last moments of the crew aboard the gold rush-era paddleboat A.J. Goddard are preserved in the ship's recently found wreck, archaeologists announced in November.

    7.最長蛇 身長超過巴士 Biggest Snake Discovered; Was Longer Than a Bus

    這只生活在6000萬年前的爬行動物體重超過一輛汽車。科學家2月表示，最長蛇化石的發現為了解氣候變化提供了重要依據。

    The 60-million-year-old reptile was also heavier than a car, scientists said in February, adding that the fossil could shed light on climate change.

    8.美國三分之一地區面臨外來巨蟒入侵威脅 Alien Giant Snakes Threaten to Invade Up to 1/3 of U.S.

    根據10月公布的一份報告，如果能夠在美國野外安家落戶并繁衍生息，9條外來巨蟒便可能引發一場生態學災難。現在，至少已有兩條外來巨蟒在佛羅里達州定居。

    Nine giant snakes could be on the verge of causing ecological catastrophe if they establish themselves in the U.S. wild-at least two have already set up shop in Florida-according to an October report.

    9.古代鑲寶石牙齒 Ancient Gem-Studded Teeth Show Skill of Early Dentists

    古代鑲寶石牙齒這一發現說明為牙齒"美容"絕不是hip-hop明星的首創。5月進行的一項研究顯示，先進的牙科技術允許美洲土著人為他們的牙齒鑲嵌寶石。這種為牙齒美容的做法年代最遠可追溯到2500年前。

    The glittering "grills" of some hip-hop stars aren't exactly unprecedented. Sophisticated dentistry allowed Native Americans to add bling to their teeth as far back as 2,500 years ago, a May study said.

    10.超罕見巨口鯊 Ultra-Rare Megamouth Shark Found, Eaten

    這是迄今為止發現的第41條巨口鯊。3月，不幸最終降臨到這條原本生活在菲律賓海域的鯊魚頭上，等待它的是在椰子汁中溫火慢煮并最終被吃掉的厄運。

    In March, the 41st megamouth shark ever found went from swimming in Philippine waters to simmering in coconut milk.