In just two years, scientists have discovered 380 species of animals and plants in Southeast Asia’s Mekong region that have never been described before. The most “new” species have been documented in Vietnam and Thailand, followed by Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, according to a report released Monday by the environmental foundation WWF.
The new discoveries showed that the region continues to be “fertile ground for scientific exploration and a biodiversity hotspot.” However, they also dramatically illustrated how much is at stake from increasing habitat destruction.
Lizard changes color in defense
Previously unknown species include the blue-headed lizard (Calotes goetzi) from Cambodia, which changes color for defense, and a type of frog (Theloderma khoii) from northern Vietnam, which camouflages itself with a mossy skin texture. A highly venomous snake (Bungarus suzhenae), named after a snake goddess in Chinese legend, has also been documented.
The only mammal on the list is a mouse-eared bat (Myotis hayesi) from Cambodia. In return, even more beautiful flowers were discovered, such as the bright pink-yellow mini-orchid Dendrobium fuscifaucium (Laos) and new varieties of begonias and rhododendrons.
‘Probably countless more species’
According to WWF Germany, 3,389 previously unknown plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals have been documented around the mighty Mekong River since 1997. State-of-the-art technologies would help, such as bioacoustic methods for analyzing animal sounds or advances in genetic sequencing, the report said.
“In the Mekong region there are probably still numerous species that are unknown to science. Animal and plant species could be wiped out forever before we even know they exist,” WWF Germany’s Stefan Ziegler warned. Threats include huge hydroelectric power stations and massive poaching. The aim must be to protect the biologically valuable areas on the Mekong cross-border and permanently, Ziegler emphasized.
Source: Krone
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