Scientists find dozens of new species in Borneo rainforests

Among the discoveries in Borneo are 30 unique fish species, including this miniature fish (Paedocypris micromegethes), measuring less than one centimetre in length.
© Dr Maurice Kottelat

(Panda.Org))-Gland, Switzerland – At least 52 new species of animals and plants have been identified this past year on the island of Borneo, according to scientists.

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The discoveries, described in a report compiled by WWF, include 30 unique fish species, two tree frog species, 16 ginger species, three tree species and one large-leafed plant species.

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WWF says that these findings further highlight the need to conserve the habitat and species of the world’s third largest island.

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“The more we look the more we find,” said Stuart Chapman, WWF International Coordinator of the Heart of Borneo Programme. “These discoveries reaffirm Borneo’s position as one of the most important centres of biodiversity in the world.”

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Many of these creatures new to science are amazing: a miniature fish – the world’s second smallest vertebrate, measuring less than one centimetre in length and found in the highly acidic blackwater peat swamps of the island; six Siamese fighting fish, including one species with a beautiful iridescent blue-green marking; a catfish with protruding teeth and an adhesive belly which allows it to literally stick to rocks; and a tree frog with striking bright green eyes.

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Many of these creatures new to science are amazing: a miniature fish – the world’s second smallest vertebrate, measuring less than one centimetre in length and found in the highly acidic blackwater peat swamps of the island; six Siamese fighting fish, including one species with a beautiful iridescent blue-green marking; a catfish with protruding teeth and an adhesive belly which allows it to literally stick to rocks; and a tree frog with striking bright green eyes.

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Several of these new species were found in the “Heart of Borneo”, a 220,000km2 mountainous region covered with equatorial rainforest in the centre of the island. But WWF warns that this habitat continues to be threatened with large areas of forest being increasingly cleared for rubber, oil palm and pulp production. Since 1996, deforestation across Indonesia has increased to an average of 2 million hectares per year and today only half of Borneo's original forest cover remains, according to the global conservation organization.

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[edit on 19-12-2006 by Black_Fox]

Good find.

...and a great argument against bulldozing our planet. Who knows what wonders we have destroyed?

What would you suggest we do for an overly greedy populated planet? The greedy needs of we humans demand the bulldozing of the planet.

What would you suggest we do for an overly greedy populated planet? The greedy needs of we humans demand the bulldozing of the planet.

New species are found quite a bit. It's outstanding to think that our planet can still give life when we take so much from it. There is so much of it that is unexplored and cannot imagine what else we are missing.


Sorry for double post...I thought I was editing.

[edit on 23-12-2006 by I See You]