Slideshow: 441 New Amazon Species Discovered Since 2010
- Date: 07 November 2013
- Author: WWF
Over the course of four years—from 2010 to 2013— 441 new species were scientifically identified in the Amazon. The discoveries include a species of titi monkey that purrs like a cat and a new passion flower that sprouts spaghetti-like filaments from the center of the bloom.
Various scientists described the new species and WWF compiled the list of 258 plants, 84 fish, 58 amphibians, 22 reptiles, 18 birds, and one mammal.
The vast Amazon landscape spans eight countries and one in 10 known species on Earth lives there. Millions of species live here and most are still undescribed.
Here's a look at a selection of recent discoveries:
-
Callicebus caquetensis
This new species of titi monkey is one of about 20 species of titi monkeys living in the Amazon basin. This particular critter purrs like a cat.
-
Sobralia imavieirae
This new orchid species is from Roraima in the Brazilian Amazon.
-
Tometes camunani
This herbivore piranha is found in the upper drainages of the rio Trombetas basin in Brazil.
-
Cercosaura hypnoides
This flame-patterned and elusive lizard was described from the hatchlings of eggs collected by scientists in the Colombian Amazon.
-
Passiflora longifilamentosa
This new species of passion flower—evergreen climbers that sprout flowers and brightly colored fruits—was found in the Brazilian state of Para. Quirky corona filaments that resemble spaghetti burst out of the flower's center.
-
Dicrossus warzeli
This spotted fish is named after Frank Martin Warzel, a German aquarist who observed the creature's behavior, including reproduction, in Brazil and Colombia.
-
Chironius challenger
Discoveries of snakes in Tepuis, the flat-topped mountains of the northern Amazon, have been far and few between, but this brightly colored snake was found at 1,500 meters of elevation.
-
Apistogramma cinilabra
© Uwe RimerApistogramma cinilabra
This little swimmer is potentially endangered, and of the cichlid family.
-
Gonatodes timidus
This species of lizard was discovered in the part of the Amazon that extends into Guyana. The surface of the lizard's head is black with bluish-white to vivid yellow irregular stripes and blotches. Despite the distinct coloring, the new species avoids being seen by escaping between rocks.
-
Potamotrygon tatianae
This river stingray species is known only from the Río Madre de Díos in the Peruvian Amazon.
-
Allobates amissibilis
This amphibian is believed to be highly endangered. It is now the third Allobates species found in Guyana.