‘Vampire’ hedgehog is among 234 new species identified in Asia

In 2023, scientists have described an astonishing 234 new species in Southeast Asia’s Greater Mekong River basin. The findings, published in a report by conservation group WWF, include 173 species of plants, 26 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians, 15 species of fish, and 3 species of mammals, including fish.

Since 1997, more than 3,500 new plant and vertebrate species have been identified in the region covered by this report, which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, with an average of 130 new species per year. I’m going up.

Here, we introduce six new species, including a hairy hedgehog named after a vampire, an almost invisible dragon lizard, and an endangered leafless orchid.

Hiromisu Macaron

The furry hedgehog family pictured above is endemic to Vietnam. Hiromiz macaron It may seem innocuous, but its name is Macaron Means vampire in Vietnamese. It got its nickname because of its long, pointed fangs, which remain hidden in this photo.

Hyposideros Kingston

This small leaf-nosed bat lives from Thailand to Borneo. confirmed by DNA analysis Hyposideros Kingston It was born as a new species in 2023.

It’s not known where these tiny bats, which weigh just 4.9 to 7 grams, roost. It has been seen near large limestone caves, suggesting that it may be hiding there, but it is also possible that it lives far from known caves, and in the hollows of trees. It is also possible that they are building a roost.

Laodracon calusticola

You need keen eyesight to spot this small lizard (Laodracon calusticola), which lives high on the tops of rugged karsts in Laos, which may explain why this species has been ignored by scientists until now. One of the earliest known sightings of this lizard was by a zipline tour guide.

This lizard is a member of the family Agamidae (dragon lizards) and is only seen on limestone spiers 50 to 70 meters high. Perhaps they have evolved unique traits to survive in eroded rocky microhabitats.

Zhangixalus melanoleucus

This lime green tree frog (Zhangixalus melanoleucus) was discovered at an altitude of 2000 meters in the evergreen forest of Mount Phu Samsoon in northern Laos. Although the region is home to many other endemic species, it is one of the least studied regions in Asia.

Trimeresurus wezzi

This lively snake is Trimeresurus alborabristhe most common species of pit viper in Asia, found from Nepal to Indonesia.

However, a DNA study of 25 specimens collected in Myanmar revealed that it is a separate species, and it has now been given the name Trimeresurus wezziso far it has only been seen in south-central Myanmar.

Chiloschista quandangii

This leafless orchid Kiroshista This genus is known as the starfish and has so far only been found in one location, near Lung Muoi, a small, remote village in northern Vietnam. It is considered extremely rare.

However, now this orchid can sometimes be found at local plant markets. This is because local residents Chiloschista quandangii It is being depleted due to the wildlife trade.