Mekong subregion: the most important biological region on the planet

The WWF International Fund for Nature said that, on average, each week, scientists have discovered three new and precious species in the Mekong sub-region. Scientists discovered a 7m tall carnivorous plant, a fish with fangs, and a frog that crickets like a cricket, a bald-headed songbird of Asia, the Sucker fish that has Unique adaptation: they swim against the fast flowing water by sticking to the rocks.

According to a document of the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan, new species have been found to be one of the most important biological regions on the planet.

Stuart Chapman, Program Director for the Greater Mekong Subregion for Nature (WWF), said: ' Today, the rate of discovery of new species often fluctuates.' 'Every year, the number of newly discovered species increases, and with this, the region's responsibility to ensure unique biodiversity conservation increases .'

Pink centipede. (Photo: WWF)

The report shows that, on the one hand, these findings highlight the Greater Mekong Sub-region's biodiversity, on the other hand, they also point to the fragile habitat and species in the region Some species have become extinct.

Other newly discovered unique species include 5 mammals, 2 bat species and 3 species of shrews, a poisonous Vipe snake and a completely new snake without fangs.

Fish with fangs. (Photo: WWF)

The way new species discovered in Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and the northern province of Yunnan in China are just as strange as some of their characteristics.

Chapman said: ' Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on the earth. These new species are a timely reminder of the great biodiversity of the Greater Mekong Subregion. ' 'Therefore, more reasonable funding is needed to ensure these precious ecosystems are protected '.

The International Fund for Nature Protection will promote opportunities for the Global Environment Fund to fund the transnational program in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, a program that recognizes the role of biodiversity and Healthy ecosystems.