NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2021 & 2022

The report details the discovery of 380 new species in the Greater Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam) across 2021 and 2022. It highlights the region's status as a biodiversity hotspot and emphasizes the role of genetic sequencing and bioacoustics in these findings. The document provides specific case studies of new flora and fauna, noting that many are endemic to small ranges and face threats from habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal trade.

• A total of 380 new species of vascular plants and vertebrate animals were formally described in the Greater Mekong region across 2021 and 2022, with 175 species discovered in 2021 and 205 in 2022.
• The distribution of new species discoveries by country for 2021 and 2022 shows Viet Nam and Thailand as the most prolific, with Viet Nam recording 62 species in 2021 and 27 in 2022, while Thailand recorded 53 in 2021 and 96 in 2022.
• Plants constituted the vast majority of new discoveries in both years, with 131 species identified in 2021 and 159 in 2022.
• Modern scientific techniques, specifically advancements in genetic sequencing and bioacoustics (the analysis of animal sounds), have significantly aided the identification of these new species.
• Many new species are identified from historical specimens preserved in museums; for example, the thick-thumbed bat (Myotis hayesi) was identified from a single specimen collected in Phnom Penh in 2000 but remained in a museum for two decades before being described.
• The report identifies several species with extremely restricted ranges, such as the Phnom Kulen bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus kulenensis), which is found only on sandstone outcroppings in Phnom Kulen National Park, Cambodia.
• Biodiversity in the Greater Mekong is under severe pressure from human-driven factors, including deforestation, pollution, overexploitation of natural resources, and the effects of climate change.
• Some new species are discovered through the illegal wildlife trade; for instance, the miniature orchid Dendrobium fuscifaucium was identified from a nursery collection after being bought from a local vendor, though it has not yet been found in the wild.
• The discovery of the Suzhen’s krait (Bungarus suzhenae) in Myanmar and China is noted as critical for medical reasons, as distinct species identification is essential for developing effective antivenom.

APA

Signs, M., Jeffries, B., Yoganand, K., Stenger, L., & Venturini, S. (2023). NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2021 & 2022. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/618/2wycl7hc2c_SPREADS_WWF_GREATER_MEKONG_NEW_SPECIES_2021_2022_FINAL_EMBARGOED_MAY_22_.pdf

Chicago

Signs, Mia, Barney Jeffries, K. Yoganand, Lilli Stenger, and Sofia Venturini. NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2021 & 2022. WWF International, 2023. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/618/2wycl7hc2c_SPREADS_WWF_GREATER_MEKONG_NEW_SPECIES_2021_2022_FINAL_EMBARGOED_MAY_22_.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Signs |first1=Mia |last2=Jeffries |first2=Barney |last3=Yoganand |first3=K. |last4=Stenger |first4=Lilli |last5=Venturini |first5=Sofia |title=NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2021 & 2022 |publisher=WWF International |date=2023 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/618/2wycl7hc2c_SPREADS_WWF_GREATER_MEKONG_NEW_SPECIES_2021_2022_FINAL_EMBARGOED_MAY_22_.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{signs2023new, author = {Signs, Mia and Jeffries, Barney and Yoganand, K. and Stenger, Lilli and Venturini, Sofia}, title = {{NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2021 \& 2022}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2023}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/618/2wycl7hc2c_SPREADS_WWF_GREATER_MEKONG_NEW_SPECIES_2021_2022_FINAL_EMBARGOED_MAY_22_.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }