New plant, animal species discovered

Goldmine of New Species Discovered in Southeast Asia

The "dragon millipede" (pictured here) is one of more than 1,000 new species discovered around the Mekong River in Southeast Asia over the last 10 years. Scientists suggest the millipede uses its bright color to warn predators of its toxicity. According to a new report by conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF), between 1997 and 2007, at least 1,068 new species have been discovered in the Greater Mekong, at a rate of approximately two new species a week.

(Courtesy Somsak Panha/WWF )

By: Apinya Wipatayotin

Published: 16th December, 2008

More than 1,000 new plant and animal species have been discovered in Thailand and the Greater Mekong region over the past 10 years, affirming the region's immense biodiversity.

The Laotian rock rat and the huntsman spider were among more than 1,000 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region from 1997-2007. Photos courtesy of WWF

A total of 319 new species were found in Vietnam from 1997-2007, with 292 in China and 267 in Thailand, according to a WWF report released yesterday.

Laos reported finding 181, Burma 96 and Cambodia 44 new species.

In a 10-year period, naturalists found 519 plants, 279 fish, 88 frogs, 88 spiders, 46 lizards, 22 snakes, 15 mammals, four birds, four turtles, two salamanders and one toad.

Thousands of new invertebrate species were also discovered during this period.

Among the 1,068 species newly identified by the WWF were the world's largest huntsman spider, with a leg span of 30 centimetres, and the startlingly hot pink coloured cyanide-producing dragon millipede.

"A few places in the world have a large scale of diversity like Congo and Borneo.

"But due to our latest survey, we have to include the Greater Mekong into the list," said Stuart Chapman, communication director of the WWF's Greater Mekong Programme.

When it comes to river basins, the Mekong is second to the Amazon in terms of biodiversity, he added.

Although most species were discovered in the largely unexplored jungles and wetlands, some were found in the most surprising places.

For example, the Laotian rock rat, thought to have been extinct for the past 11 million years, was first encountered by scientists in a local food market, while the Siamese Peninsula pit viper was found slithering through the rafters of a restaurant in Khao Yai National Park, said Mr Chapman.

Chavalit Vidthayanond, the WWF's senior freshwater specialist, said the Mekong river is home to more than 700 aquatic species, of which 279 are new species, such as the akysis catfish and the Lake Songkhla stingray.

However, the river's biodiversity is under risk from dam construction, he said.

Huntsman spider

"The dam construction will be harmful to the Mekong's biodiversity," he said.

Mr Chavalit called on governments of the Mekong countries to pay more attention to preservation of the ecological system in the region.

China has already built three large dams in the upper Mekong - the Manwan, Dachaoshan and Jinghong - which were completed in June. The fourth dam, the Xiaowan, is still under construction and expected to come into operation in 2012. China has also blasted Mekong islets, which are breeding and nursing grounds for aquatic animals, to improve navigation up and down the river.

Mr Chapman urged all related bodies and governments to maintain a balance between economic development and biological system conservation.

"Biodiversity translates into food, medicine and even cultural connection. That is the reason we have to work hard for decades to protect it," he added.