In the summer of 2022, researchers embarked on an expedition in the Alto Mayo region of Peru, aiming to uncover undiscovered species in an area significantly impacted by deforestation. The team, led by Trond Larsen, senior director for biodiversity and ecosystem science at a nonprofit organization, was surprised to find a new species of climbing salamander on the first day of their journey.
The discoveries continued with a new species of butterfly, followed by a new species of squirrel and an unexpected find: a mouse with webbed feet capable of swimming. Dr. Larsen noted the rarity of amphibious rodents, highlighting the significance of this discovery.
During their 38-day expedition, the team identified 27 new species, including four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians, and ten butterflies. They also documented numerous rare and endangered species, some of which are not found anywhere else on Earth.
A report published by the team emphasizes that even habitats heavily influenced by human activity can support high levels of biodiversity, challenging previous assumptions made by conservationists. The Alto Mayo region, characterized by its diverse ecosystems and home to hundreds of thousands of residents, has been under-documented in terms of its flora and fauna.
Dr. Larsen expressed amazement at the diversity found during the expedition, which also included unique species such as a swamp eel capable of surviving out of water for extended periods and an armored catfish with a distinctive bulbous nose, whose function remains unknown.
Prosanta Chakrabarty, a professor of ichthyology, commented on the bizarre nature of the newly discovered fish, suggesting it may use its unusual nose to locate prey hidden in the riverbed. He emphasized the importance of these findings in illustrating the potential for discovering even more fish species.
Overall, the expedition documented over 2,000 species, with 49 considered at risk of extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Despite ongoing agricultural development in the area, the discoveries highlight the need for increased conservation efforts in Alto Mayo, according to Reynaldo Linares-Palomino, a tropical biologist.
Linares-Palomino pointed out the challenges of conserving habitats in human-dominated landscapes, noting that restoring cleared areas will be both costly and politically complicated. However, the identification of new species is seen as a crucial first step toward protecting the region's biodiversity.
Dr. Linares-Palomino concluded by emphasizing the necessity of continuing to document the diversity of organisms in Alto Mayo to better understand and manage the environment effectively.