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Twenty-seven new species were discovered in Peru’s Amazon rainforest during a 2022 scientific expedition, environmental NPO Conservation International announced.
Among the newly discovered species were an “amphibious mouse” with partially webbed feet, a spiny mouse, a dwarf squirrel, eight types of fish, three amphibians, and ten butterflies. Researchers also identified another 48 potentially new species that require further study.
The expedition, conducted between June and July, took place in Alto Mayo, a protected area encompassing diverse ecosystems, Indigenous territories, and villages. A team of 13 scientists collaborated with local technicians and Indigenous group members.
“Discovering so many new species of mammals and vertebrates was really incredible, especially in such a human-influenced landscape as Alto Mayo,” Trond Larsen, head of Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
He highlighted the spiny mouse, the amphibious mouse, and a 5.5-inch dwarf squirrel. “(The squirrel) fit so easily in the palm of your hand. Adorable and beautiful chestnut-brown colour, very fast,” Larsen said. “It jumped quickly and hid in the trees.” He also noted a “blob-headed fish,” a type of armoured catfish, among the discoveries.
The 38-day expedition employed camera traps, bioacoustic sensors, and DNA sampling. In total, 2,046 species were recorded, including 49 classified as threatened, such as the yellow-tailed woolly monkey and the tree monkey.
According to Larsen, these findings underscored the importance of protecting the area. “Unless steps were taken to safeguard these sites and help restore parts of the landscape … there was a strong chance they wouldn’t persist in the long term,” Larsen said.
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