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WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

Newt crocodiles have been found in Vietnam. (WWF: T.Ziegler)

In short: 

234 new species including the limestone eyelash pit viper and "vampire" hedgehog have been identified in South-East Asia.

Tiny shrew moles and camouflaged lizards also made the World Wildlife Fund's new report.

Scientists say some of the newly discovered species are already endangered, highlighting the need for conservation.

A limestone eyelash pit viper, a soft-furred hedgehog and a brilliantly orange crocodile newt are among 234 new species identified in South-East Asia.

The list of remarkable finds, all from 2023, was compiled by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

This new species of snake found in southern Thailand has been named the limestone eyelash pit viper. (WWF: Parinya Pawangkhanant)

For Vietnamese researcher Luan Thanh Nguyen, one discovery came by pure chance during a field survey in the rugged northern mountains of Vietnam.

With his headlamp broken, local Hmong porters assisting his expedition ventured into town to get it fixed.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

Hmong guides Sung A Chang, Vang A Pao and Sung A Chu helped find the H'mong keelback. (Supplied: Luan Thanh Nguyen)

When they returned, they handed Mr Nguyen a striking male snake they had stumbled upon along the trail.

"At first glance, I knew this was something special," Mr Nguyen recalled, noting its scales were ridged, rather than smooth.

The snake has been named the H'mong keelback (Rhabdophis hmongorum) in tribute to the porters and the Indigenous Hmong community near Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak, located in Hoang Lien National Park.

Another striking snake found on limestone rocks was the limestone eyelash pit viper.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

The Rhabdophis hmongorum was identified in Vietnam. (Supplied: Luan Thanh Nguyen)

But not all discoveries were made in the wild.

A golden fish, dubbed the "rosy loach" (Physoschistura mango), first caught scientists' attention in the aquarium trade.

Native to the crystal-clear springs of Hopong in Myanmar's Shan State, the tiny fish is the smallest member of the stone loach family.

"Although these species were only recently described by science, they've thrived in the unique habitats of our region for millennia," Chris Hallam, WWF Asia Pacific regional wildlife lead, said.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

The rosy loach first appeared in an aquarium. (WWF: Kevin Conway)

He warned of the fragility of this biodiversity, citing the example of a newly discovered leafless orchid sold in local markets — a species likely already threatened by over-exploitation of people selling it.

To date, the leafless orchid is only known to be found in a single location near Lung Muoi village in the north of Vietnam.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

The new leafless orchid species Chiloschista quangdangii was only described last year but it may already be facing extinction. (WWF: Truong Ba Vuong)

A discovery a decade in the making

Not all new species identified in the report were found alive in the field.

Scientist Arlo Hinckley uncovered the genetic sequencing of a new gymnure, pronounced like "demure".

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

The new species of hedgehog, Hylomys macarong, may look unassuming but it has sharp jagged teeth. (WWF: Alexei V. Abramov )

The soft-haired hedgehog relative known as the Hylomys macarong originates from Vietnam but was formally described when Mr Hinckley examined preserved samples in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History thousands of kilometres away in Washington DC.

Nicknamed the "vampire gymnure" for its sharp fangs, the specimen had been languishing in collections since the 1960s before it was identified as distinct by Dr Hinckley.

The sample was from Vietnam, matching a photo of a gymnure taken by a Russian-Vietnamese team led by Alexei Abramov.

"It's like uncovering a Picasso in an art gallery or discovering an ancient artefact in a city," Dr Hinckley said.

"These findings elevate the value of the region and underscore the urgency of conservation," Chris Hallam said.

Dr Abramov lamented the delay in describing the species, but he hopes the discovery will help draw attention to the need to protect Vietnam's fragile ecosystems.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

The dragon lizard Laodracon carsticola is hard to spot on a limestone rock. (WWF: Santi Xayyasith)

Hidden gems in plain sight

Among the discoveries, some species were so well-camouflaged that they almost went unnoticed.

In Laos, researchers identified a new type of dragon lizard, Laodracon carsticola, whose scales perfectly mimic the limestone pinnacles it inhabits.

On Vietnam's Mount Fansipan, scientists documented a tiny shrew mole weighing just 8 grams.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

A shrew mole weights just 8 grams. (WWF: Bui, Okabe and Motokawa)

The diminutive mammal is among the top 10 lightest terrestrial mammals on Earth and likely evolved its unique traits due to the geographic isolation of the mountain.

A research team also made a startling find in the Ngoc Linh Mountain Reserve: a bright orange crocodile newt with 14 distinctive warty spots.

The discovery surprised researchers because it was the highest elevation at which a crocodile newt had been recorded.

Scientists now believe the Ngoc Linh crocodile newt should be classified as endangered, given its restricted range and threatened habitat.

The fight to save these species

While these discoveries bring excitement, they are tempered by the grim realities of habitat destruction, climate change, and over-exploitation.

"Describing new species is the first crucial step in ensuring their survival," said Mya Bhone Maw, who discovered Begonia kayinensis, a rare plant species in Myanmar.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

Mya Bhone Maw hopes her discovery will inspire more research in Myanmar.  (Supplied: Mya Bhone Maw)

But conducting fieldwork is becoming increasingly difficult in countries where civil conflict disrupts research.

"As scientists, it is our mission to document and protect the richness of our world," Ms Maw emphasised.

"These species provide invaluable beauty and ecosystem services, and we must conserve them for the benefit of all."

Luan Thanh Nguyen echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of local collaboration.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

New research found that pit vipers are not a single species but have many lineages. (WWF: H.T. Lalremsanga)

In northern Vietnam, he now works closely with the Hmong community to raise awareness about habitat conservation.

"I wouldn't have made these discoveries without their help," he said.

WWF lists more than 200 new species discovered in South-East Asia

Luan Thanh Nguyen trains local community groups about how to look after the habitat of endangered species in Vietnam. (Supplied: Luan Thanh Nguyen)

With rising infrastructure development threatening South-East Asia's natural treasures, Mr Nguyen is hopeful that combining scientific research with community education will safeguard these newly discovered species.

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