Bubble fish and amphibian mouse: scientists have discovered 27 new species of animals in the Amazon

During the nearly 40-day search in Peru’s Alto Mayo region, dozens of new species of biodiversity were discovered. Some are extremely interesting.

Transfers UNN with reference to The Guardian.

Details

Thanks to the expedition, which lasted for 38 days in the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, in the northwest of the country, at least 27 species new to science were discovered. Among them – a rare amphibian mouse, a tree-climbing salamander, as well as an unusual “fish with drops”.

The expedition was “exciting” and “amazing,” says Trond Larsend, senior director of biodiversity and ecosystem sciences at the International Organization for Conservation of Nature’s Moore Science Center.

The expert noted that the Alto Mayo region has a high population density and is under significant pressure from deforestation and agriculture.

“I was very surprised to find such a large species richness. Including so many new, rare and endangered species, many of which are not found anywhere else,” explained Larsen.

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The “new” species include four mammals:

Spiny mouse,

A mouse with a short tail,

dwarf squirrel,

Half-aquatic mouse.

(Squirrel) fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. She is charming and has a very beautiful brown color. She is very fast. Quickly jumps and hides in trees

Also, according to the scientist, the discovery of a new species of amphibian mice was “shocking and exciting”.

It belongs to a group of carnivorous semi-aquatic rodents, for which most species are extremely rare and difficult to collect, giving them an almost mythical status among mammal experts… We found this amphibious mouse in only one unique patch of swamp forest threatened by encroachment in agriculture, and he may not live anywhere else

Larsen was particularly pleased to find a new tree salamander “with short little legs and a mottled chestnut-brown coloration.

An intriguing find was the bubble fish or “fish with a drop head”.

It looks like a related species of catfish, but with a really weird mottled droplet-like extension on the end of its head

He noted that the function of this “drop” still remains a complete mystery. “If I had to guess, I would suggest that it might be somehow related to the sense organs in the head,” the researcher noted.

The expedition also documented 49 “endangered” species from the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN) red list.

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Among them:

two endangered monkeys (Peruvian yellow-tailed woolly monkey and Titi San Martin monkey);

two endangered birds (spotted pikul and long-eared owl);

also the endangered harlequin frog.

Reference

The study was conducted in June and July 2022 using camera traps, bioacoustic sensors and environmental DNA (eDNA) collected from rivers and other water sources.

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