NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2020

In 2020, 224 new species were discovered in the Greater Mekong region, including 155 plants, 35 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 16 fishes, and one mammal. The report details specific discoveries across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, emphasizing that high discovery rates underscore the region's status as a biodiversity hotspot. It argues that many of these species are range-restricted and vulnerable to habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, and human encroachment, calling for accelerated international cooperation and the use of the IUCN 'One Plan Approach' to link in situ and ex situ conservation.

• A total of 224 new species of vascular plants and vertebrate animals were formally described in the Greater Mekong region in 2020, consisting of 155 plants, 35 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 16 fishes, and one mammal.
• Since 1997, the total number of described species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and vascular plants in the region has reached 3,007.
• The Popa langur (Trachypithecus popa), a new primate species discovered in Myanmar, is proposed for a Critically Endangered status due to an estimated wild population of only 200-250 individuals across four isolated locations.
• Researchers discovered Laobambos calcareus in Laos, which is the first documented case of succulence in bamboos, allowing the plant to vary its stem volume based on stored water to survive seasonal droughts.
• The report identifies significant threats to the region's biodiversity, including habitat destruction, illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, diseases spread by human activities, and predation by invasive species.
• The 'One Plan Approach' supported by the IUCN is highlighted as a promising strategy because it integrates in situ and ex situ conservation measures.
• In Myanmar, the discovery of Kayahschistura lokalayensis, a new genus of cavefish, emphasizes the importance of protecting the Salween River, one of Asia's last free-flowing rivers.
• The report notes that many new species are found in highly restricted geographic areas, making them particularly vulnerable to human-caused threats and increasing their extinction risk.

APA

Signs, M., Venturini, S., Yoganand, K., & Tomàs, A. C. (2021). NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2020. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/562/5s8a16akht_WWF_New_species_discoveries_2020_PAGES_final_compressed.pdf

Chicago

Signs, Mia, Sofia Venturini, K. Yoganand, and Antonio Cerezo Tomàs. NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2020. WWF International, 2021. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/562/5s8a16akht_WWF_New_species_discoveries_2020_PAGES_final_compressed.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Signs |first1=Mia |last2=Venturini |first2=Sofia |last3=Yoganand |first3=K. |last4=Tomàs |first4=Antonio Cerezo |title=NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2020 |publisher=WWF International |date=2021 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/562/5s8a16akht_WWF_New_species_discoveries_2020_PAGES_final_compressed.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{signs2021new, author = {Signs, Mia and Venturini, Sofia and Yoganand, K. and Tomàs, Antonio Cerezo}, title = {{NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES IN THE GREATER MEKONG 2020}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2021}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/562/5s8a16akht_WWF_New_species_discoveries_2020_PAGES_final_compressed.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }