Blob-headed fish and amphibious mouse among 27 new species found in ‘thrilling’ Peru expedition
Guardian2 days
Aquatic Mouse Among 27 New Species Found in Peru
Above: The Amazon River system. Image copyright: Juancho Torres/Contributor/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Facts
A scientific expedition in Peru's Amazon rainforest in the Alto Mayo region discovered 27 previously unknown species — including four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians, and ten butterflies — during a 38-day survey conducted from June-July 2022.
According to Conservation International, the most notable discoveries included an amphibious mouse with webbed feet, a spiny mouse with stiff fur, a 14-centimeter dwarf squirrel, and a mysterious blob-headed catfish with an unexplained cranial extension.
The Spin
Narrative A
The remarkable discovery of so many new species in a human-dominated landscape demonstrates nature's resilience and ability to thrive alongside people who sustainably manage ecosystems with Indigenous knowledge. It proves that conservation efforts in populated areas can yield significant results.
Narrative B
The growing threats of deforestation, agricultural expansion, and over-exploitation in the Alto Mayo landscape pose serious risks to these newly discovered species — particularly since some may exist only in small, threatened habitat patches that require immediate protection measures.