Earth Science News
FLORA AND FAUNA
'Eyelash viper', leaf-nosed bat among new species found in Mekong
'Eyelash viper', leaf-nosed bat among new species found in Mekong
by AFP Staff Writers
Hanoi (AFP) Dec 16, 2024

A viper with scales that look like eyelashes and a leaf-nosed bat are among dozens of new species identified in Southeast Asia's Mekong region last year, WWF said Monday.

The environmental group regularly publish a list of newly discovered flora and fauna in the region to highlight the area's biodiversity but also the risks it faces.

"The region is still a fertile ground for scientific exploration," WWF said, warning that "many species are likely to go extinct before they are even discovered" because of mostly human-linked pressures, including deforestation and the wildlife trade.

The Greater Mekong, which comprises Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, is a well-known biodiversity hotspot, home to tigers, elephants and dolphins.

In all, 234 new species of vertebrates and vascular plants -- a category that excludes mosses, algae and fungus -- were identified in the region in 2023.

Some were located in remote natural habitats, while others were identified from specimens preserved in natural history museums and botanical gardens across the world.

Among them is an Asian pit viper whose chocolate-brown and mint-green scales give it the appearance of eyelashes around its eyes, WWF said.

Found in limestone formations in a Thai national park, it has been named the limestone eyelash pit viper as a result of its distinctive habitat and markings.

Similarly striking is a bat that weighs in at between five and seven grams and features a distinctive leaf-shaped nose, used for echolocation. It was documented in Thailand, but is also found in Malaysia, WWF said.

Around half of all the new species were found in Vietnam, with 106 endemic to the country, the highest number of any nation in the Greater Mekong region.

Among them is a new species of gymnure -- furry members of the hedgehog family -- and a snake found at 2,600 metres on Mount Fansipan in northern Vietnam by two porters from the Hmong ethnic minority.

Scientists are concerned that the forest where the snake was found is being degraded by the collection of fuelwood for the tourism industry, and by livestock grazing.

"It may also be vulnerable to climate change, since species restricted to high elevations have little opportunity to move to higher ground as their habitat gets warmer," the report warned.

Related Links
Darwin Today At TerraDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Habitat loss stokes rabid jackal attacks in Bangladesh
Dhaka (AFP) Dec 14, 2024
Few in the Jahan family's remote Bangladeshi village had seen a jackal up close before the morning one stalked Musqan through the paddy fields, pounced on her, and maimed the four-year-old for life. Violent and unprovoked attacks by rabid canines are rising around the South Asian nation due to rampant deforestation and habitat loss - a trend experts say has been worsened by climate change. Musqan is still recovering from the horrific injuries she sustained in the mauling last month by the rabi ... read more

FLORA AND FAUNA
Macron to visit France's cyclone-battered Mayotte

Ugandan landslide fears force relocation of 5,000 households

Murder rate in Amazon far higher than rest of Brazil: study

India, Pakistan share climate challenges but not solutions

FLORA AND FAUNA
Unlocking the potential of collagen modulation for biomaterials in human health

Metal scrap upcycled into high-value alloys with solid phase manufacturing

Stretchable, flexible, recyclable. This plastic is fantastic

Speaking crystal AI predicts atomic arrangements to aid material discovery

FLORA AND FAUNA
New study highlights critical decline in shark and ray populations since 1970

Six rare giant catfish surface in Cambodia

Kyrgyzstan warns power supply at risk as demand hits record

US starts relocating Marines from Okinawa; US navy to make port call in Cambodia

FLORA AND FAUNA
One of the largest glacial floods ever documented observed in Greenland

Will the Ross Ice Shelf melt

The Bering Bog Bridge

Seals use icebergs as essential platforms in glacier ecosystems

FLORA AND FAUNA
Agricultural land at river confluences reduces flood risks

Gene editing and plant domestication vital to safeguard global food security

Neem seed extract improves effectiveness of pesticide

Brazil's beef industry: key to EU-Mercosur trade deal

FLORA AND FAUNA
Bodies seen in Vanuatu capital after major quake

The economic risks of tsunamis on global trade

Climate change intensified back-to-back Philippines storms: study

Spain royals join memorial mass for flood victims

FLORA AND FAUNA
Mali army says captured Islamic State group figure

BBC vows to keep up reporting after Niger suspends radio

Niger junta suspends BBC for three months

HRW condemns 'atrocities' against Mali civilians since UN withdrawal

FLORA AND FAUNA
Earliest ritual space in southwest asia discovered in Galilee cave

Traces of 10000-year-old rice beer unearthed at neolithic site in China

US passes defense bill banning gender care for minors; UK to compensate LGBTQ veterans sacked

Mammoths were central to ancient American diets says new study

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.