Scientists Discover 27 New Species in Populous Area Full of ‘Mysterious’ Animals

• Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program expedition conducted a species survey of Peru’s Alto Mayo Landscape in 2024.

• The expedition recorded more than 2,000 species during its 38-day survey

• Of the creatures recorded, 27 are species new to science

A scientific expedition focused on the conservation of well-known animals in the Alto Mayo Landscape of Peru discovered 27 new species in need of protection.

In 2024, Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) is launching a 38-day survey of the Alto Mayo Landscape – “a complex mosaic of ecosystems and communities, including indigenous territories, towns and cities” from the Andes to the Amazon, according to the report. in the organization.

Trond Larsen, Ph.D, the expedition’s lead scientist, tells PEOPLE that the goal was to “assess and monitor biodiversity and ecosystem health” in the area.

Trond is “a conservative naturalist, but also an explorer and naturalist at heart.” He is also the senior director of biodiversity and ecosystem science at Conservation International and leads the organization’s Rapid Assessment Program.

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“For more than a decade, Conservation International has worked with the Awajún people and local communities in Alto Mayo to reduce deforestation by supporting sustainable livelihoods, such as selling herbal tea and vanilla, and sustainable agriculture with cacao and coffee beans,” explained Trond. a collaboration that led to his latest tour.

“These efforts are now culminating in the idea of ​​establishing a conservation corridor throughout the Alto Mayo region that connects the most degraded areas with existing protected areas,” he adds. “This will help preserve the unique nature of Alto Mayo while also ensuring that people continue to receive benefits from the environment they depend on.”

Before building this tunnel, Conservation International needs to know “where the most important species live, especially those that are new to science, rare, or threatened with extinction.”

Trond’s journey to the Alto Mayo Landscape to fill these “knowledge gaps” so that the corridor can develop a land use plan that supports biodiversity conservation, agricultural sustainability, and habitat connectivity throughout the region.

During the expedition’s five-week research, the scientists recorded more than 2,000 species, a “shocking” number for the “human-dominated” area of ​​the Peruvian rainforest. Even more unexpected, among the hundreds of recorded species, 27 were new to science, including four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians, and ten butterfly species. Additionally, “48 species may be new to science pending further research, and at least 49 species are at risk of extinction,” according to Trond.

“Our team was very surprised by the unusually high level of biodiversity we encountered, especially the number of species that are new to science. While the discovery of new invertebrates, such as insects, is common, the discovery of many vertebrates, including new mammals, amphibians, and fish, it was shocking,” the best assignments of the trip.

The conservationist admits he has a favorite among the newly discovered species.

“My personal favorite, and the most unusual, is the blob fish,” Trond said.

The creature is a type of armored catfish, distinguished from other armored catfish by a large, spotted “bulb” from the end of its head.”

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Other new scientific species discovered during the trip include a new species of bat, an aquatic mouse, a climbing lizard, and a squirrel.

“Although this fish is familiar to the local Awajun indigenous people, it is completely new to scientists, and the function of this strange blob-like structure remains a mystery,” added Trond.

“Scientists continue to research the newly discovered species, and eventually, each species will be officially ‘described’ and named, with details published in a scientific journal,” he said next about the new species.

Conservation International is working with the regional government and local communities to restore areas of the Alto Mayo Landscape that are important to the animals recorded on this trip.

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According to Trond, the Alto Mayo Landscape is the “most populated and influenced by people” area in which RAP has worked.

The “shocking and unexpected” discovery of many new species and the overall “huge diversity” of the Alto Mayo Landscape show RAP and Conservation International that populated areas “overlooked” by scientists can still support natural life.

Trond’s next RAP trip will take place in northeastern Bolivia in the first half of 2025. To learn more about Conservation International and how the organization protects the environment, visit www.conservation.org.

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