Amazing Discoveries in the Amazon: New Species Found Every Three Days Over Last Decade

Between 1999 and 2009, more than 1,200 new species of plants and
vertebrates were discovered in the Amazon biome - a rate of one new
species every three days - confirming the Amazon as one of the most
diverse places on Earth, says a WWF report. High-resolution photographs
of many of these new and unusual species, as well as video footage, is
available for download.

"This report clearly shows the incredible diversity of life in the Amazon and what we could lose if we don't act now," said Francisco Ruiz, Leader of WWF's Living Amazon Initiative. "We
need to change the way we think about development and promote
conservation at a regional level that provides economic, social, and
environmental benefits to people in the region and those within the
Amazon's far-reaching climatic influence," added Ruiz.

The new
species outlined in "Amazon Alive: A Decade of Discoveries 1999-2009"
include 637 plants, 257 fish, 216 amphibians, 55 reptiles, 16 birds and
39 mammals.

Among the new species discovered:

• The first new anaconda species identified since 1936. The four meter long snake, Eunectes beniensis
  was initially believed to be the result of hybridization between green
  and yellow anacondas, but was later determined to be a distinct species.
  It was originally discovered in 2002 in Bolivia's north-eastern Amazon
  province then was later found in the floodplains of Bolivia's Pando
  province.
• A frog with an incredible burst of flames on its head and contrasting water-patterned legs. One of the most extraordinary species discovered in the last decade, the frog, Ranitomeya amazonica's
  main habitat is near the Iquitos area in the region of Loreto, Peru,
  which is primary lowland moist forest. The frog, first discovered in
  1999, has also been found in the Alpahuayo Mishana National Reserve in
  Peru.
• A bald-headed parrot that displays an astonishing spectrum of colors. The parrot, Pyrilia aurantiocephala,
  which was discovered in 2002, has been observed in just a few locations
  in the Lower Madeira and Upper Tapajos rivers in Brazil. It has since
  been listed as a "near threatened" species due to its moderately small
  population and declining habitat.
• A new separate species of the pink river dolphin that is unique to Bolivia. The Amazon River dolphin or pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
  was originally discovered in the 1830s. In 2006, scientific evidence
  showed that the Bolivian dolphin is a separate species, and unique to
  that country. It differs from other Amazon river dolphins in that it has
  more teeth, a smaller head and a shorter but wider body. Some
  scientists consider the Bolivian dolphin to be a subspecies of Inia geoffrensis, while others have classified it as a wholly new species and have given it the scientific name, Inia boliviensis.
• A blind, tiny, bright red new species of catfish that lives underground. Discovered in 2007 in the Brazilian state of Rondonia, the fish, Phreatobius dracunculus,
  lives mainly in subterranean waters. It was originally found during the
  digging of a well in the village of Rio Pardo when several of the fish
  were accidentally trapped in buckets used to extract water. The species
  has since been found in another 12 of 20 wells in the region.

Although
most of the Amazon region remains fairly undisturbed, the threats to it
are rapidly increasing. During the last 50 years humankind has caused
the destruction of at least 17 percent of the Amazon rainforest - this
is an area greater than the size of Venezuela or twice the size of
Spain.

In an effort to safeguard the Amazon's species and
habitats, world governments meeting this week in Nagoya, Japan, for the
U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity are considering a multilateral
approach to create a complete and effectively managed system of
protected areas in the Amazon region.

"Many of the discoveries of new species have been made in the Amazon network of protected areas," said Yolanda Kakabadse, President of WWF International. "This
year - the Year of Biodiversity - is an excellent opportunity for Heads
of State to help protect even more the Amazon's diversity of life to
ensure the survival of species that live there and the continued
provision of environmental goods and services that we all benefit from," added Kakabadse.

Through
its Living Amazon Initiative, WWF is working toward a comprehensive
approach to work with governments, civil society, and the private sector
to promote the transformational process needed to bring about an
alternative scenario to better preserve the Amazon's biodiversity.

WWF's goal for the Amazon region is to reach a shared vision in which:

• Development is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable;
• Natural ecosystems are valued appropriately for the environmental goods and services they provide;
• Agreement is reached regarding tenure and rights to land;
• Agriculture and ranching are carried out following best management practices; and
• Transportation
  and energy infrastructure development is well-planned to minimize
  environmental impacts and impoverishment of cultural diversity.

"The
fate of the Amazon - and of its species whether known or yet to be
discovered - depends on a significant shift in the current way
development is embraced by all Amazon countries," added Ruiz.