Nature & Environment

163 new species discovered in Mekong region

By T.K. Randall
December 19, 2016 ·  3 comments

The Mekong is home to a vast assortment of new species. Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 Allie Caulfield Despite being under threat from deforestation, mining and other destructive human activities, the Mekong River basin in Southeast Asia has been offering up a wealth of new species lately.

Among the most recent discoveries announced by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF ) is a snake that has been likened to David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' character due to its unique coloration, a small orange frog, a brightly colored newt and a lizard with dragon-like horns protruding from its head."The Greater Mekong region keeps reminding us that there are many incredible, unexplored areas, leading to new discoveries happening every year and it is crucial that we protect them before they are lost," said Jimmy Borah, Wildlife Programme Manager for WWF-Greater Mekong.

Outside of the Mekong region there were other discoveries too, including the amusingly named 'Klingon newt' of Thailand and a woolly bat from the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

A collection of photographs showing some of these new species can be viewed here.

Source: Independent | Comments (3)

Tags: Mekong