Animal

Scientists discovered more than 200 new species in Mekong region in 2020 – WWF


An adult female and juvenile Popa langur (Trachypithecus popa) in the crater of Mount Popa, Myanmar on 26 February 2018.

An adult female and juvenile Popa langur (Trachypithecus popa) in the crater of Mount Popa, Myanmar on 26 February 2018.

Thaung Win/AFP/German Primate Centre (DPZ) – Leibn

  • More
    than 200 new species have been found across the greater Mekong region by scientists
    in 2020, according to a WWF report.
  • In
    total, 224 new species of vertebrate animals and plants were found in the region,
    which stretches through Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
  • WWF
    says the rate of discovery of new species shows the importance of preserving
    the region’s fragile ecosystems.

Bangkok
– Scientists discovered more than 200 new species across the greater Mekong
region in 2020, according to a WWF report, despite the threats posed by climate
change and human activities such as logging.

The
finds include a new primate, a colourless cavefish and an iridescent snake with
an unusual non-overlapping pattern of scales.

In
all, 224 new species of plants and vertebrate animals were found in the region –
which includes Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam – WWF said in its
“New Species Discoveries” report.

Images
of the Popa langur monkey, which takes its name from the extinct volcano Mount
Popa in central Myanmar, were caught by camera traps.

The
mountain is still home to the largest population of the reclusive simian,
around 100 individuals, WWF said.

Most impressive, endangered

Only
around 200 to 250 of the monkeys – which are threatened by hunting, logging and
loss of habitat – are thought to survive in total.

In
Vietnam, researchers found the vivid-coloured Mount Ky Quan San horned frog at
an altitude of more than 2 000 metres, on the peak which gives it its name.

The
greater Mekong region, with landscapes ranging from jungles to mountains and
karst formations, is a hugely important biodiversity hotspot.

It
is home to some of the world’s most impressive – and most endangered – species
including the tiger, the Asian elephant and the Mekong giant catfish.

WWF
have said the rate of discovery of new species, more than 3 000 since 1997 – shows
the importance of preserving the region’s fragile ecosystems.

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