It was a veritable lost world.
A scientific expedition to Peru has yielded a treasure trove of 27 new species, including an amphibious mouse, a “blob-headed” fish, and other zoological oddities.
“Discovering so many new species of mammals and vertebrates is really incredible, especially in such a human-influenced landscape,” said Trond Larsen, senior director at Conservation International, the nonprofit organization that organized the excursion, the BBC reported.
The biological scavenger hunt transpired in Alto Mayo — a protected area with multiple ecosystems and indigenous territories — between June and July 2022, Reuters reported.
The team included 13 scientists from Conservation International as well as members of local indigenous groups such as the Awajun.
“It was really fantastic to work so closely with the Awajun people,” said Larsen. “They have extensive traditional knowledge about the forests, animals and plants they live side-by-side with.”
One of the most notable of the newly discovered creatures was the “blob-headed” fish, a species of armored catfish with an unusually large, gelatinous noggin like a Dr. Seuss drawing.
While the critter was unknown to the scientific world, the Awajun were already aware of its existence.
Other highlights included a spiny mouse with stiff guard hairs like a hedgehog’s spines and an “amphibious,” insect-eating mouse with webbed feet that belongs to one of the rarest orders of animals on Earth.
Also worth mentioning was the dwarf squirrel, a veritable teacup treehopper that measures just 5.5 inches long.
That’s around a third of the length of an Eastern gray squirrel in the US, which can measure 16 to 20 inches from nose to tail.
“[It] fits so easily in the palm of your hand,” Larsen said. “It jumps quickly and hides in the trees.”
Scientists also discovered eight types of fish, three amphibians and 10 types of butterflies in the ecological oasis.
As many as 48 other new species of animals might have also been discovered. However, scientists will need to conduct a follow-up study to verify whether or not they are new.
Scientists found this biodiversity surprising given Alto Mayo’s relatively high population density, which threatens the environment due to deforestation and agricultural encroachment.
This ecological treasure trove is a prime example of why the region needs to be protected, stressed Larsen.
“Unless steps are taken now to safeguard these sites and help restore parts of the landscape … there’s a strong chance they won’t persist in the long term,” he said.
