Scientists Have Discovered 224 New Species Of Animals And Plants
Experts discovered 224 new species of animals and plants that are found near the Mekong River, the largest in Southeast Asia. Among them are a “ghostly” monkey and a slug snake, as well as the only type of succulent bamboo in Laos today. This was reported by The Guardian newspaper, citing a report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Scientists Have Discovered Species Of Animals
The report lists new species of amphibians (17 species), fish (16), and one mammal that have been found in countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. In addition, scientists have discovered 155 new plant species.
As the scientists said, the species described in the work were discovered back in 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the publication of the report was postponed and presented only at the beginning of 2022.
The only new mammal species discovered in 2020 is Pope’s langur, which belongs to the order of primates and the marmoset family. This monkey with characteristic white circles around the eyes was found on the extinct volcano Popa in Myanmar.
Scientists Have Discovered Species Of Animals
According to Reuters, scientists have also discovered a new species of gecko in Thailand, as well as a large-headed frog in Vietnam and Cambodia, which may be threatened with extinction due to deforestation.
Among the new plant species is a tree from the mulberry family that grows in Vietnam, as well as the only species of succulent bamboo in Laos today.
“These species are unusual, beautiful creations of millions of years of evolution, but they are under great threat. Many species become extinct even before they have been described,” said K. Yoganand, Regional Head of WWF in the Greater Mekong Region.
Scientists Have Discovered Species Of Animals
The researchers also said that the discovery of new species of animals and plants in the regions that are near the Mekong River indicates the great biodiversity of the countries of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The region is also home to tigers, Asian elephants, the very rare artiodactyl saola, and thousands of other fauna.
In the period from 1997 to 2020 inclusive, scientists have discovered more than three thousand new species of animals and plants near the Mekong. To do this, experts compare similar species and identify key differences between them. As Thomas Ziegler, curator of the Institute of Zoology at the University of Cologne, explained, this approach helps scientists determine the habitat of species and understand whether they are in any danger, including due to human activities.
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This post was last modified on October 21, 2022 11:09 am