Conservation International, an environmental group, announced the discovery of an “amphibious mouse” with partially webbed feet that feeds on aquatic insects, one of 27 new species uncovered during a 2022 expedition to Peru’s Amazon. Among the other discoveries were a spiny mouse, a squirrel, eight species of fish, three amphibians, and ten types of butterflies. The research team explored the Alto Mayo protected area, including forest regions, Indigenous territories, and local villages.
The group documented over 2,000 animal and plant species using camera traps and bioacoustic sensors. The scientists believe up to 48 additional species might also be new to science, but further research is needed to confirm them. The scientists say the findings show the value of protecting biodiversity in a landscape influenced by human activity.
One of the newly discovered animals was a semi-aquatic mouse that lives only in a specific patch of swamp forest dominated by aguaje palm trees, Conservation International Senior Director Trond Larsen told CNN on Friday. He said the mouse is from a group of semi-aquatic rodents that are so rare they are “almost mythical to mammal experts.” The mouse lives in this unique ecosystem and likely does not exist elsewhere.
Another discovery was a type of fish called the blob-headed fish. The researchers don’t know why this fish has an enlarged head, but they are thrilled to have found it, Larsen said. “It’s fun to speculate and try to understand why this fish species possesses an unusual structure on its head,” he added.
Other species found included a narrow-mouthed frog, a tropical climbing salamander that lives in a unique white-sand forest, and 12 butterflies and two dung beetles. The frog and salamander were classified as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the butterfly and beetle are both Critically Endangered. The scientists also recommended that a species of flowering plant called Stellaria mcclintockiae be classified as Critically Endangered.
Researchers hope to learn more about how these newly discovered organisms live, where they spend their time, and what makes them unique. They will also use their findings to help inform conservation actions in the region, home to several ecosystems and Indigenous communities.
The expedition’s results, published on Friday, underscore the importance of preserving wildlife in a region impacted by human activity. Researchers emphasized the need to protect natural habitats for these animals, many of which are already endangered, and encourage people worldwide to live more sustainably.
The 13 scientists and seven local technical assistants used camera traps, biological surveys, and environmental DNA to uncover the new species. The research was conducted over 38 days in the Alto Mayo landscape, encompassing many ecosystems, Indigenous territories, and villages. Conservation International conducted it with the support of Global Earth and local specialists with extensive traditional knowledge from FERIAAM, the regional Indigenous Federation of the Alto Mayo Awajun Communities.