Adopt a Mekong Dolphin
Accountability
Careers
Travel
Support WWF
|
 |
Update
New species discovered in the Greater Mekong at risk of extinction due to climate change
A bird-eating fanged frog, a gecko that looks like it’s from another planet and a bird that would rather walk than fly, are among the 163 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region last year that are now at risk of extinction due to climate change, says a new report launched by WWF ahead of UN climate talks in Bangkok.
WWF's Close Encounters report
This report for the Greater Mekong Region spotlights species newly identified by science in 2008, including 100 plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, 2 mammals and a bird.
Scientists identified these rare and unique species within the jungles and rivers of the Greater Mekong Region of Southeast Asia that spans Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the south-western Chinese province of Yunnan. More on the Mekong 
The Close Encounters report is the second new species report on this region. The initial report First Contact was launched in December 2008 and revealed over 1,000 new species discoveries in the Greater Mekong between 1997 and 2007.
Climate change
The extraordinary new species discoveries of 2008 cements the Greater Mekong’s place as one of the world’s last biological frontiers, but also highlights what could be lost as a result of the increasing impact of climate change.
Recent studies show the climate of the Greater Mekong region is already changing. Models suggest continued warming, increased variability and more frequent and damaging extreme climate events.
Rising seas and saltwater intrusion will cause major coastal impacts – especially in the Mekong River delta – which is one of the three most vulnerable deltas on Earth, according to the most recent International Panel on Climate Change report.
Over the next two weeks, government delegates will meet in Bangkok, Thailand, for the next round of UN climate change talks in the lead up to the Copenhagen Climate Summit this December, where the world is scheduled to agree on a new global climate treaty. Learn how WWF is fighting climate change
WWF supports the formulation of Asia’s first regional climate change adaptation agreement to provide a legal framework and mechanism for regional cooperation and coordination on climate change. WWF believes that Greater Mekong nations hold the key to both economic development and ensuring that the integrity of conservation landscapes remains intact.
A bird eating, fanged frog: Limnonectes megastomias
Scientists state that there is much that remains unknown about this particular species and other closely related frogs in terms of their natural history, reproductive biology, and other aspects of their ecology.
© David S McLeod \ WWF Greater Mekong
A new frog species for Thailand, Limnonectes megastomias, is an opportunistic eater, lying in wait for its prey in streams. The species has a diverse diet which includes other frogs, insects and even birds.
The species has a greatly enlarged head and fangs that are actually growths that protrude from the jawbone. Males of use their fangs in combat, and scientists have observed frogs with missing limbs and multiple scars.
Unlike many other species of frogs, the males are bigger than the females. Males also have exceptionally large mouths and powerful jaws.
Experience the Greater Mekong
Photo Gallery
Greater Mekong Close Encounters
New species discoveries 2009
Image: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Take a quick trek through the Greater Mekong’s varied landscapes.
© WWF
Join WWF’s field teams on the ground in the Greater Mekong.
© WWF
Nonggang babblers are seldom seen in trees or flying. Watch rare footage of this walking bird.
© WWF
See where scientists discovered a bird-eating fanged frog.
© WWF
Connect with WWF
Click the globe to explore WWF's work
Co-Chairmen of the Board Larry Linden and Roger Sant hold WWF accountable for best practices in governance, accountability and transparency at all levels of the organization.
 is found exclusively in Cat Ba Island National Park in northern Vietnam. This species was one of the many new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia during 2008.','Thomas Ziegler / WWF Greater Mekong')){kind=link}
 is known only to occur in the Nujiang watershed, Cangyan County, in the western Chinese province of Yunnan on the border with Myanmar.','Markku Hakkinen / WWF Greater Mekong')){kind=link}
 has only been found in three isolated and remote locations in a protected area in Thailand. The frog\'s fangs protrude from its bottom jawbone and it is an opportunistic eater, lying and waiting for prey in streams. Birds are among the species this frog is known to eat.', 'David S McLeod / WWF Greater Mekong')){kind=link}
 was recently described from Myanmar. This species first appeared in the aquarium trade in Odessa, Ukraine, from where it got its common name and scientists were only able to describe the species after they located the fish in the wild for the first time in 2008.','Neil Hepworth')){kind=link}
 was discovered in the karst rainforest of the Nonggang Natural Reserve, located in south Guangxi province of China near the Vietnamese border.','James Eaton / WWF Greater Mekong')){kind=link}
 was discovered in Vietnam\'s Truong Son mountain range.','Ralph Hendrix')){kind=link}
 is endemic to Hon Son Island in Rach Gia Bay in the Kien Giang Province of southern Vietnam.', 'Lee Grismer / WWF Greater Mekong')){kind=link}
