World
December 21, 2024 14:10
peru - Researchers have discovered 27 new species, including a blobfish and an aquatic mouse, during an expedition in Peru.
Researchers found 27 new species, including a blobfish and an aquatic mouse, during a 38-day expedition to the Alto Mayo landscape in northwestern Peru. The region, covering approximately 1.9 million hectares of forest and agricultural areas, houses a diverse range of ecosystems.
Despite the region's high population density, there is relatively little known about its biodiversity and ecosystem health. The expedition aimed to gather more information on these aspects.
The unexpected discoveries included four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians, and ten butterfly species. When a discovery is considered new to science, it means that it has not undergone the formal scientific process of receiving a scientific name.
Trond Larsen, the lead researcher of the 2022 expedition and head of the Rapid Assessment Program at Conservation International, expressed surprise at the significant biodiversity found in a landscape heavily influenced by human activities.
One of the most surprising finds was an aquatic mouse with webbed feet, adapted to life in the water. Larsen explained that the group of semi-aquatic rodents to which this mouse belongs is extremely rare and little is known about their existence.
The researchers discovered this particular mouse species in a small patch of swamp forest currently threatened by agricultural practices, making it a high priority for conservation efforts.
Other new mammal species found by the team included a spiny mouse, a short-tailed fruit bat, and a dwarf squirrel. The blobfish, characterized by its enlarged, blob-like head, was also officially described for the first time.
Larsen described the fish's incredibly bizarre head, almost resembling a giant swollen nose. The function of this structure is yet to be determined, but one theory suggests it aids in food detection.
In total, 2,000 species were recorded in the landscape stretching from the Andes to the Amazon, traversing indigenous territories, towns, and villages. Forty-nine of these species are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List as threatened with extinction.
The researchers hope that increased knowledge of biodiversity in the region will enable effective conservation measures against deforestation and agricultural expansion.
While the discoveries are new to science, they may have been previously sighted by local communities. The expedition involved collaboration with local indigenous researchers and continues to engage with indigenous communities for conservation purposes.
Yulisa Tuwi, an Awajún woman assisting in reptile and amphibian research, emphasized the importance of protecting their culture, natural resources, and territory through deep nature connections.
Larsen highlighted the urgent need to achieve global biodiversity conservation goals and emphasized the importance of scientific knowledge in promoting conservation efforts.