PhnomPenhPost-Dec 18, 2024
A total of 234 new species were described in the Greater Mekong region in 2023, including a high-altitude crocodile newt, a soft-furred hedgehog and a newly identified genus of palm tree, according to a report released by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on December 16. The discoveries highlight the region’s rich biodiversity but also underscore the urgency of protecting habitats and addressing wildlife trade to prevent further species loss, according to a WWF press release on the same day. The report documents the collaborative efforts of hundreds of scientists from universities, conservation organizations and research institutes worldwide. According to the release, a total of 173 vascular plants – species that have specialized tissues for transporting water, minerals and nutrients throughout its structure – 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fishes and three mammals were identified across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Since 1997, this has brought the number of described vascular plants and vertebrate animals in the Greater Mekong region to 3,623. “Although these species were just described by science last year, they have been living in the unique habitats of our region for many millennia,” Chris Hallam, WWF Asia Pacific regional wildlife lead, was quoted as saying in the release. The report highlights several remarkable discoveries, including a ginger species with a root that smells like mango and a leafless orchid that was found in a market and is likely already threatened by overexploitation. Among the animal species, a rosy loach fish has been formally described despite already being well known in the aquarium trade. A bright orange crocodile newt was discovered at a record elevation, between 1,800 and 2,300 metres above sea level, while a karst dragon lizard represents not only a new species but also an entirely new genus. Read more at:
