Discovering one new animal species is exciting, so imagine how thrilled researchers were to recently discover 27 new species.
A 2022 research survey of Alto Mayo — a region in northwest Peru — published a report on its findings, which included an unusual "blob-headed fish," a dwarf squirrel, several new butterfly species, and an incredibly rare semi-aquatic mouse.
Finding so many species at once was significant on its own, but considering the numerous people living in the region and the amount of deforestation that has occurred there in the past few decades, the results of the survey were truly remarkable.
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Definitely 👍 The Guardian reported Dr. Trond Larsen, leader of the survey team, as saying: "I was very surprised to find such high overall species richness, including so many new, rare, and threatened species, many of which may be found nowhere else."
The blob-headed fish, in particular, threw researchers for a loop. Though the fish is technically a type of catfish, the strange blob shape on its head was a source of intrigue.
"The function of this 'blob' remains a complete mystery," Larsen told the Guardian.
While the reason for the blob is yet unclear, its function was theorized as being anything from a location for sensory organs to a way to assist with the fish's buoyancy.
With the discovery of these species, researchers are hopeful more conservation efforts will be made in the area. While the Alto Mayo region is already known for making concerted efforts at conservation, further efforts will not only aid in protecting these new species and their habitats but also help nearby communities increase local resources, better their economies, and improve food security, among other things.
Diego Dourojeanni, who works with the Indigenous peoples of the region on conservation efforts on behalf of Conservation International, stated: "To effectively protect nature, you first need to know what's there. By understanding where wildlife lives, we can make better land management decisions and target areas that are best suited for conservation and sustainable activities like ecotourism, selective logging and sustainable agriculture."
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