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Asia’s biodiversity hotspot
290 plants, 20 fishes, 24 amphibians, 46 reptiles and one mammal have been newly discovered in the Greater Mekong Region.
22 May 2023
Main image: Trimeresurus uetzi © H.T. Lalremsanga
A soft furred hedgehog with fangs, a lizard with a name that sounds like it could star in Game of Thrones, a high-altitude crocodile newt and a new genus of palm tree are just some of the of the 234 new species described by scientists in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia in 2023.
The species, revealed in a new WWF report, showcase the region as one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots.
However, many of these species are already at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, deforestation and illegal wildlife trade.
WWF is calling on governments in the region to strengthen protection for these rare, amazing creatures and their habitats and commit to reversing the loss of nature by 2030.
The report documents the work of hundreds of scientists from universities, conservation organisations and research institutes around the world who discovered 173 vascular plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fish and three mammals in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
This brings the total number of vascular plants and vertebrate animals described in the Greater Mekong region since 1997 to 3,623.
‘These new findings remind us of the extraordinary diversity and inventiveness of nature which can provoke a childish wonder and delight in us all. Sadly, it is also a timely reminder of the extreme jeopardy that so many of these species and habitats face, and what we risk losing if urgent and committed action is not taken.
‘We urgently need governments to recognise the value of nature and commit to halting and reversing its destruction by 2030.’
MARK WRIGHT
WWF-UK’s special advisor
A soft furred hedgehog with sharp fangs, with a name based on the Vietnamese word for vampire.
A karst dragon lizard – with a name that sounds like it came out of Game of Thrones – that represents not just a new species but a new genus.
A bright orange crocodile newt living at a new elevation record for its type, found between 1,800m and 2,300m above sea level.
A ‘simply gorgeous’ pit viper snake with beautiful scales that make it look like it has long eyelashes.
A ginger species that has a root that smells like mango.
A leafless orchid that was found in a market and is likely already threatened by overexploitation.
A rosy loach fish, only just described by science despite being common in the aquarium trade.
A keelback snake named after the H’mong ethnic group.
A shrew mole that weighs only 8g, putting it within the top 10 lightest species of terrestrial mammal on Earth.
‘Although these species were just described by science last year, they have been living in the unique habitats of our region for many millennia.
‘Each of these species is a critical piece of a functioning, healthy ecosystem and a jewel in the region’s rich natural heritage. And the researchers are equally as precious!
‘They are working passionately and tirelessly to describe these species under trying conditions, unfortunately often with little resourcing.’
CHRIS HALLAM
WWF-Asia Pacific regional wildlife lead
Species are discovered in a variety of different ways. Some are collected during field visits and sit in natural history museums and botanical gardens for years – sometimes for decades – before they are analysed and identified.
‘We must ensure that these species are described and understood so that we don’t lose them to overexploitation before they’re ever described in the wild.’
JEDSADA TAWEEKAN
WWF-Greater Mekong’s Illegal Wildlife Trade regional programme manager
Biodiversity in the Greater Mekong is under intense pressure from habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation including from the illegal wildlife trade, climate change, pollution, invasive species and diseases, underscoring the urgent need for global action to restore nature before it’s too late, as highlighted in WWF’s 2024 Living Planet Report.
290 plants, 20 fishes, 24 amphibians, 46 reptiles and one mammal have been newly discovered in the Greater Mekong Region.
Landmark UN report reveals the world’s migratory species of animals are in decline, and the global extinction risk is increasing.
Average wildlife population sizes decline by 73% in 50 years as WWF warns tipping points would ‘destabilise societies everywhere’.
UCN Red List updated to include 163,040 species – 45,321 threatened with extinction.
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