40 New Species Discovered in Papua New Guinea

Scientists from Oxford University, London Zoo and the Smithsonian Institution have found more than 40 previously unidentified species in Papua New Guinea [1]! In a rainforest currently being destroyed at a rate of 3.5% each year, this volcanic crater is a lost world is populated by fanged frogs, grunting fish and tiny bear-like creatures.

“A team of scientists from Britain, the United States and Papua New Guinea [2]found more than 40 previously unidentified species when they climbed into the kilometer-deep crater of Mount Bosavi and explored a pristine jungle habitat teeming with life that has evolved in isolation since the volcano last erupted 200,000 years ago. In a remarkably rich haul from just five weeks of exploration, the biologists discovered 16 frogs which have never before been recorded by science, at least three new fish, a new bat and a giant rat, which may turn out to be the biggest in the world.” Read the Complete Story
[3]

Categories:

• Natural History News [4]
• Nature Travel [5]
• Papua New Guinea [6]
• Wildlife [7]

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