380 New Species Discovered In This Remote Part Of The World, Say Researchers

The scientists discovered 290 plants, 19 fish species, 24 amphibians, 46 reptiles and one mammal.

Researchers have found nearly 400 species in Asia's Greater Mekong region. However, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that these species may soon be extinct due to loss of habitat caused by human activity.

The newly found species include animal vertebrates such as a colour-changing lizard, a thick-thumbed bat, a poisonous snake named after a Chinese mythological goddess, an orchid that looks like a muppet and a tree frog with skin that resembles thick moss.

These discoveries were made by an international team of scientists and researchers working across five countries in the vast biodiverse region during a two-year period from 2021-2022, reported CNN.

"These remarkable species may be new to science but they have survived and evolved in the Greater Mekong region for millions of years, reminding us humans that they were there a very long time before our species moved into this region," said K. Yoganand, WWF's Greater Mekong regional wildlife lead.