More than 220 new species were discovered in the Mekong region in 2020, reports WWF

Scientists discovered more than 220 new species in 2020 in the Greater Mekong region (in English), according to a report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Among these discoveries are a new primate, a colorless cave fish and an iridescent snake whose scales, astonishingly, do not overlap. A total of 224 new species of plants and vertebrate animals have been recorded in the region – which includes Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam –, reports the WWF.

Images of Popa’s Langur monkey, which takes its name from the extinct Mount Popa volcano in central Burma, have been taken. This primate is however threatened by hunting, logging and habitat loss. Estimates suggest that only 200-250 individuals remain in total. In Vietnam, researchers have also discovered, at more than 2,000 meters above sea level, the horned frog of Mount Ky Quan San, with bright colors.

The Greater Mekong region is a hotspot for biodiversity, thanks to its varied landscapes: there are jungles, mountains, and even karstic formations. It is home to some of the most impressive and endangered species in the world, including the tiger, the Asian elephant and the giant Mekong catfish. WWF points out that the rate at which new species are being discovered – more than 3,000 since 1997 – proves the importance of preserving the region’s fragile ecosystems.