A team of scientists from the environmental organization Conservation International discovered 27 new species living in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, including an amphibious mouse with webbed toes, a fish with a blob-shaped head and an arboreal salamander. This discovery occurred in 2022 ago in an unexpected area: theAlto Mayoa region strongly influenced by man, where the deforestation and intensive agriculture are predominant activities.
“It’s surprising how nature manages to thrive even in such anthropic environments,” he commented Trond Larsenhead of Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program. “This discovery reminds us of the importance of preserve biodiversity, even in areas that might seem less ‘wild’ at first glance“.
Alto Mayo, located between the Andes and the Amazon, is an area of great ecological interest. Despite the presence of villages, towns and cities, the region is home to a variety of ecosystems, including seven different types of forests. It covers an area of 1.9 million acres in the upper Mayo River basin, within the provinces of Moyobamba and Rioja, in the San Martín department of Peru.
The discovery of the amphibian mouse was one of the most exciting. This small rodent, with its shiny fur and webbed toes, is perfectly adapted to aquatic life. “He is an extraordinary creature“Larsen said. “It is proof that nature still has many surprises in store for us“.
Equally striking is the blob-headed fish, a kind of armored catfish with a curious bump on its head. “We had never seen anything like this,” Larsen said. “It is a discovery that it could revolutionize our knowledge of fish evolution“.
Among other new species, there are one arboreal salamanderwhich climbs trees with the same agility as a monkey, and several species of colorful butterflies.
But the expedition didn’t just uncover new species. Researchers also have documented the presence of 49 species threatened with extinctionincluding the San Martin’s titi monkey and the Peruvian yellow-tailed woolly monkey.
“These data are a wake-up call,” Larsen emphasized. “We must act quickly to protect this unique ecosystem. The loss of biodiversity in Alto Mayo would have devastating consequences for the entire planet.”
The expedition also made it possible to collect valuable information on the local flora. They were identified over 950 species of vascular plantsincluding rare orchids and centuries-old trees. Many of these plants are used by indigenous communities for medicinal purposes or as building materials.
What makes Alto Mayo special?
The expedition focused on the central Alto Mayo region, an area largely unstudied due to its high population density. The goal was to collect biodiversity data to guide the development of a new ecological corridor that connects two protected areas: the Alto Mayo Protected Forest and the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area.
What was found
“The conservation of Alto Mayo is crucial not only for biodiversity, but also for the well-being of local populations“Larsen explained. “We must find a balance between human needs and environmental protection.”
