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Sep 25, 2009
New species found in Mekong
A gecko with leopard-like stripes on its body and a fanged frog that eats birds were among 163 new species discovered last year in the Mekong River region of South-east Asia. -- PHOTOS: AFP
BANGKOK - A GECKO with leopard-like stripes on its body and a fanged frog that eats birds were among 163 new species discovered last year in the Mekong River region of South-east Asia, an environmental group said Friday.
WWF International said that in 2008 scientists discovered 100 plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, 2 mammals and 1 bird species in the region. That is in addition to the 1,000 new species catalogued there from 1997 to 2007.
'After millennia in hiding these species are now finally in the spotlight, and there are clearly more waiting to be discovered,' said Mr Stuart Chapman, director of the WWF Greater Mekong Programme.
Researchers working for WWF warned that the effects of climate change, including an upsurge in droughts and floods, threaten the diverse habitat that supports these species.
'Some species will be able to adapt to climate change, many will not, potentially resulting in massive extinctions,' Mr Chapman said in a statement. 'Rare, endangered and endemic species like those newly discovered are especially vulnerable because climate change will further shrink their already restricted habitats.'
Among the stars in this new list was a fanged frog in eastern Thailand. Given the scientific name Limnonectes megastomias, the frog lies in wait along streams for prey including birds and insects. Scientists believe it uses its fangs during combat with other males.
Experts said a range of factors contributed to the upsurge in new species including better access to regions that have seen decades of war and political unrest and governments stepping up spending on research to protect and identify plants and animals.
The discoveries have been published in peer-reviewed journals and the WWF simply compiled the findings to publicise what it says could otherwise go unnoticed.
The WWF called for efforts to ensure the new species are protected, by preserving their habitat and the river networks that are a foundation of the region's ecosystem. -- AP
Sep 25, 2009
New species found in Mekong
A gecko with leopard-like stripes on its body and a fanged frog that eats birds were among 163 new species discovered last year in the Mekong River region of South-east Asia. -- PHOTOS: AFP
BANGKOK - A GECKO with leopard-like stripes on its body and a fanged frog that eats birds were among 163 new species discovered last year in the Mekong River region of South-east Asia, an environmental group said Friday.
WWF International said that in 2008 scientists discovered 100 plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, 2 mammals and 1 bird species in the region. That is in addition to the 1,000 new species catalogued there from 1997 to 2007.
'After millennia in hiding these species are now finally in the spotlight, and there are clearly more waiting to be discovered,' said Mr Stuart Chapman, director of the WWF Greater Mekong Programme.
Researchers working for WWF warned that the effects of climate change, including an upsurge in droughts and floods, threaten the diverse habitat that supports these species.
'Some species will be able to adapt to climate change, many will not, potentially resulting in massive extinctions,' Mr Chapman said in a statement. 'Rare, endangered and endemic species like those newly discovered are especially vulnerable because climate change will further shrink their already restricted habitats.'
Among the stars in this new list was a fanged frog in eastern Thailand. Given the scientific name Limnonectes megastomias, the frog lies in wait along streams for prey including birds and insects. Scientists believe it uses its fangs during combat with other males.
Experts said a range of factors contributed to the upsurge in new species including better access to regions that have seen decades of war and political unrest and governments stepping up spending on research to protect and identify plants and animals.
The discoveries have been published in peer-reviewed journals and the WWF simply compiled the findings to publicise what it says could otherwise go unnoticed.
The WWF called for efforts to ensure the new species are protected, by preserving their habitat and the river networks that are a foundation of the region's ecosystem. -- AP
