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Scientists unveil 367 new species

by Amel Ahmed @amelscript June 4, 2014 3:00PM ET

Rainbow lizard, bright green frog and leaf-nosed bat are among new species found in Asia’s Greater Mekong region

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International
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Laotian Giant Flying Squirrel
A new species of flying squirrel from the genus Biswamoyopterus was identified in Laos in 2013. This arboreal species with red and white fur is the second member of the genus to be discovered by scientists. Daosavanh Sanamxay
Cambodian Tailorbird
In 2013 the Cambodian tailorbird (Orthotomus chaktomuk) was described by scientists who found it hiding in plain sight in Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh. The species is likely confined to dense shrub habitat in the floodplain of the Mekong River on the edge of the city, allowing it to remain undetected for so long despite living near a metropolitan area. James Eaton / Birdtour Asia
Giant, bright green, flying frog
Helen’s flying frog, Rhacophorus helenae, a large green “flying” frog, was discovered near Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, an urban center with more than 9 million people. The animal belongs to a group of frogs that have the greatest ability to glide.
Griffin's Leaf-nosed bat
Griffin's leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros griffini, discovered in 2012, has a very peculiar nose that may assist in echolocation, the sonar-like ability bats use to navigate. Vu Dinh Thong / Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi.
Zebra-striped Lizard
This zebra-striped species of decorative gecko is currently known only on the Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area on Phuket Island in southwestern Thailand. Montri Sumontha
White-head Burmese viper
The white-head Burmese viper, a new venomous viper species, was recently discovered by scientists in Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam. Nguyen Thien Tao / Vietnam National Museum of Nature
Skydiving Gecko
A new species of parachute gecko, Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense, was discovered in the montane evergreen forest in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. By extending flaps of skin on its flanks and between its toes, this parachute gecko is able to glide between the trees in its rainforest habitat. Montri Sumontha.

A bright green frog, a rainbow lizard and a giant flying squirrel are among 367 new species revealed by scientists in Southeast Asia’s Greater Mekong region in 2012–13, according to the Mysterious Mekong report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The region, through which the Mekong River flows, is home to a myriad of wildlife and natural landscapes. More than 1,300 new species have been documented there since 1997.

The Greater Mekong region consists of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and China's Yunnan province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The discoveries demonstrate that the area "is the front line for scientific exploration," the WWF report said.

The diverse collection of new species consists of 290 plants, 24 fish, 28 reptiles, 21 amphibians, three mammals and one bird.