These Great New Species Were Just Discovered

The adorable frog to the right is one of several great new species just announced in the World Wildlife Federation's annual Greater Mekong survey.

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In all, there were 126 new species (82 plants, 13 fish, 21 reptiles, 5 amphibians and 5 mammals) discovered in the region in 2011, which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the south-western Chinese province of Yunnan.

Check out the Extra Terrestrial report [PDF] for more information on 10 of these great species. The WWF hopes to spur conservation by highlighting the diversity of amazing species in the area. 

"While the 2011 discoveries affirms the Mekong as a region of astonishing biodiversity, many new species are already struggling to survive in shrinking habitats," Nick Cox, of the WWF, said in a press release. "Only by investing in nature conservation, especially protected areas, and developing greener economies, will we see these new species protected and keep alive the hope of finding other intriguing species in years to come."

A dazzling new miniature fish, named Borarus naevus, was recently discovered in southern Thailand. Called the "fantastically colored fish," it measures just 15 to 20 millimeters long, and is named after the large blotch on its body (the Latin naevus means blemish).

A new species of snake called the ruby-eyed green pit viper (Trimeresurus rubeus) has been discovered in forests near Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam’s Cat Tien National Park is a stronghold for Trimeresurus rubeus, which inhabits a rather small geographic range, where pressures on forests are high.

This sweet singing frog (Gracixalus quangi) chirps like a bird! While most male frogs attract females with repetitive croaks, this little guy spins a new tune each time. No two calls are the same, and each individual mixes clicks, whistles and chirps in a unique order. It was discovered in the high-altitude forests of northern Vietnam.

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