An aquatic mouse and an ugly blob-headed fish are among new species discovered in the Amazon
An amphibious mouse with webbed feet and an unsightly blob-headed fish are among the more than two dozen new species scientists discovered in a remote region of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.
An amphibious mouse with webbed feet and an unsightly blob-headed fish are among the more than two dozen new species scientists discovered in a remote region of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.
A 2022 expedition to Peru’s northwestern Alto Mayo region, which is heavily forested, saw the first documentation of at least 27 species that are new to science, according to a recent report in Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program Bulletin of Biological Assessment.
The haul of new species was also accompanied by another 48 species that are potentially new to science but require further analysis, the report said.
“Overall, the RAP team encountered exceptionally high levels of biodiversity that far exceeded expectations considering most of the study sites were located near communities and towns,” the report said, adding that the findings “highlight the importance of research and conservation efforts in human-dominated landscapes.”
In addition to the amphibious mouse and unusual-looking catfish, scientists discovered another type of mouse with stiff, spiny fur and a squirrel only distantly related to others known by science, as well as a new bat and several types of fish, butterflies and amphibians.
Rating: 5