Nature Hundreds of new animal and plant species discovered in Southeast Asia
A hedgehog with vampire features and an otter that appears to have eyelashes: last year, scientists recorded over 230 previously undescribed vertebrate and plant species in the Mekong region of Southeast Asia.
16.12.2024, 01:00
SDA
In a new report, the environmental foundation WWF now presents the work of hundreds of experts who discovered 173 vascular plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fish and 3 mammals in around twelve months. This brings the total number of species newly described in the region around the mighty Mekong River since 1997 to 3623, writes the environmental foundation. It includes the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
One of the most bizarre discoveries from 2023 was an often well-camouflaged lizard (Laodracon carsticola), which, given its stony appearance, "could be in Game of Thrones", as the WWF writes. Hylomys macarong, a small rat urchin with soft fur and sharp fangs, was named after the Vietnamese word Ma ca rong for vampire.
A green and black pit viper (Trimeresurus ciliaris) was also found, whose marbling looked as if it had long eyelashes. At a market, the scientists discovered a leafless orchid (Chiloschista quangdangii), which is probably already threatened by overexploitation.
Probably around for thousands of years
"Although these species were only described by scientists last year, they have been living in the unique habitats of the Mekong region for many thousands of years," explained Asia expert Stefan Ziegler from WWF. As many of these species are already threatened with extinction due to human activities, the WWF called on the governments of the region to step up the protection of these rare creatures and their habitats.
The flora and fauna of the Greater Mekong Region are under severe pressure from habitat loss and degradation, illegal wildlife trade, climate change, pollution and invasive species. Despite intensive forestry and agricultural use over the past 50 years, Southeast Asia, especially the region around the Mekong, is considered a "treasure trove of biodiversity" due to its biological diversity.
