New species in Greater Mekong
June 5, 2014
A giant flying squirrel, a skydiving gecko and a leaf-nosed bat are among the array of new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region, #link:http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/greatermekong/news/?222670:the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)# said on Thursday.
In the organization's new report, titled #link:http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/greater_mekong_species_report_final.pdf:Mysterious Mekong#, scientists describe 290 plant species, 24 fish, 21 amphibians, 28 reptiles, three mammals and one bird formally discovered in 2012-13.
The previously unknown creatures were found in the Greater Mekong region. The Mekong River flows from Southern China through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia before emptying out into the ocean off the coast of Vietnam.
"These species discoveries affirm that the Greater Mekong is truly one of the world's richest and most biologically diverse regions," said WWF-Myanmar Conservation Programme Manager Michelle Owen. "The fact that 26 species were discovered in relatively unexplored Myanmar highlights the urgent need to invest in conservation and ensure biodiversity is considered as part of a sustainable and green development approach."
Among the species described in the report is a new species of huntsman spider (pictured above) discovered by Dr. Peter Jäger in a cave in Laos. It is the first spider of its kind in the world without any eyes - a trait attributed to living permanently in the dark.
One of the new amphibian finds is Helen's Flying Frog, which was discovered less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City. The huge green frog glides from tree to tree using its large, webbed hands and feet and only descends to the ground to breed in rain pools. Another find in Vietnam was Griffin's leaf-nosed bat, which has a fleshy, flower-like nose used to assist in echolocation.
A new species of flying squirrel was discovered based off a single specimen collected from a bush meat market in Laos. The red and white-furred critter is the first record of the genus from Southeast Asia.
In Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park, which borders Myanmar, a parachute gecko was found. The camouflage-patterned critter glides from branch to tree trunk using flaps of skin on its flanks and between its toes.
"These amazing discoveries underscore the urgent need for further exploration and conservation across the Greater Mekong, but especially here in Myanmar," said the country director for WWF-Myanmar, Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein. "There are potentially thousands of new species yet to be discovered in Myanmar's rich forests, rivers and oceans. We need to ensure they are identified and their habitat protected before it is too late."
Myanmar was closed off to most outside scientific research during its decades of military rule.
The new creatures and plants are just the latest additions to a list of 2,077 species discovered in the Greater Mekong region since 1997.