Bubble fish and amphibian mouse: scientists discover 27 new species in the Amazon
Kyiv • UNN
During a 38-day expedition in the Alto Mayo region of Peru, scientists discovered 27 new species of animals. Among the finds are an amphibian mouse, a tree salamander, and a fish with an unusual drop-shaped extension on its head.
Dozens of new species of biodiversity have been discovered in the Alto Mayo region of Peru during almost 40 days of searching. Some of them are extremely interesting.
Transmitted by UNN with reference to The Guardian.
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Thanks to the expedition, which lasted for 38 days in the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, in the north-west of the country, at least 27 new species were discovered for science. Among them-a rare amphibian mouse, a salamander climbing trees, as well as an unusual "fish with drops".
The expedition was “fascinating” and “amazing,” says Trond Larsend, senior director of biodiversity and ecosystem sciences at the Moore Science Center of the International Organization for Conservation of Nature.
The expert noted that the Alto Mayo region has a high population density and is under significant pressure from deforestation and agriculture.
“I was very surprised to find such a great species richness. Including so many new, rare and endangered species, many of which are not found anywhere else,” Larsen explained.
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The" new " species include four mammals:
The spiny mouse,
Mouse with a short tail,
Dwarf squirrel,
A half-water mouse.
(Squirrel) fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. She is adorable and has a very beautiful brown color. She is very fast. She jumps quickly and hides in the trees
Also, according to the scientist, the discovery of a new species of amphibian mice was “shocking and exciting”.
It belongs to a group of carnivorous semi-aquatic rodents, for which most species are extremely rare and difficult to collect, which gives them an almost mythical status among mammalian experts..
Larsen was particularly pleased to find a new wood salamander “with short, small legs and a spotted chestnut-brown color.
An intriguing find was a bubble fish or"fish with a drop head".
It is similar to related catfish species, but with a really strange spotted teardrop-shaped extension at the end of the head
He noted that the function of this "drop" is still a complete mystery. "If I had to speculate, I would assume that this may have something to do with the senses in the head," the researcher noted.
The expedition also documented 49 “endangered” species from the IUCN Red List.
Among them:
two endangered monkeys (Peruvian yellow-tailed woolly monkey and Titi San Martin monkey);
two endangered birds (the spotted owl and the long-eared owl);
and the endangered harlequin frog.
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The study was conducted in June and July 2022 using photo traps, bioacoustic sensors, and environmental DNA (eDNA) collected from rivers and other water sources.
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