Researchers on an expedition in Peru discovered 27 new species of animals for science – including a fish with a “bubble head” and a type of semi-aquatic mouse.
The research was conducted by Conservation International an environmental non-profit organization, and carried out over the course of a 38-day expedition in 2022. The team worked in the landscape of Alto Mayo in northwestern Peru, which covers about 1.9 million actars of forests and areas agricultural and contains a diverse range of ecosystems.
Although the region is densely populated, relatively little is known about its biodiversity and the health of its ecosystems – researchers hope to fill gaps in the data through research.
However, they did not expect to discover so many species new to science: four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians and 10 species of butterflies.
When a discovery is considered new to science, it means it has never gone through the formal scientific process by which new species are given a scientific name.
“We were very surprised to find such high biodiversity in a landscape with so much human influence,” said Trond Larsen, a researcher who led the expedition and directs Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program.
Among the most surprising new species was a amphibian mouse with webbed fingers – to adapt to life in the water. The group of semi-aquatic rodents to which this mouse belongs is “extremely rare,” Larsen said, adding that they are “incredibly difficult to find (…) very little is known about the lives of these creatures.”
Researchers found this particular species of mouse in just a small patch of swamp forest, currently threatened by agricultural practices, making it a high priority for conservation.
The other new mammals the team discovered were a spiny mouse, a short-tailed fruit bat and a dwarf squirrel.
It was also described for the first time the “bubble head” fish which gets its name from its enlarged, bubble-like head. Fish experts involved in the research had never seen a feature like this before.
“The bubble-head fish has an incredibly bizarre head that looks almost like a giant, swollen nose,” Larsen told CNN. “Scientists have never seen anything like it, and we don’t know what the function of this bizarre bubble-shaped structure is.” One possible theory is that the bubble helps the animal detect food, he said — but “it remains a mystery.”
Overall, the survey recorded 2,000 species in the landscape that stretches from the Andes to the Amazon and crosses indigenous territories, towns and cities. Of these species, 49 are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List – meaning they are at risk of extinction.
The researchers hope that knowing more about the region’s biodiversity will make it possible to implement effective conservation measures in the face of threats posed by deforestation and agricultural expansion.
And while the discoveries may have been “new to science,” that doesn’t mean they were completely unknown. The expedition enlisted the help of local indigenous researchers and continues to collaborate with indigenous communities on conservation efforts.
“This rapid assessment allows the Awajún (indigenous community) to protect our culture, natural resources and our territory, as we have a deep connection with nature,” said Yulisa Tuwi, an Awajún woman who assisted with the reptile and amphibian research.
“Being part of this research has allowed me to better understand how plants, animals and ecosystems interact with each other, and how this is part of our Awajún worldview,” she said in a press release.
“Our main goal is to provide the scientific knowledge needed to move conservation forward in a way that works for nature and people,” said Larsen, who added that time is limited to achieve global biodiversity conservation goals.
This content was originally published in Fish with “bubble head” is among 27 new species found in Peru on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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