2 16 2023 New Species include 2 from MindanaoWe’re still on the 2nd month of the year but our scientists have already revealed a few of the newly-described wildlife species!

With the perpetual efforts of researchers to unearth this planet’s species, which is quite infinite, five (5) of them have been introduced recently as new to science.

Our new fellas include a snail-eating snake (π‘†π‘–π‘π‘œπ‘› π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘’π‘™π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘π‘Žπ‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘œπ‘Žπ‘’) in Colombia and Panama, a stream tree-frog (π»π‘¦π‘™π‘œπ‘ π‘π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘‘π‘œπ‘™π‘˜π‘–π‘’π‘›π‘–) in Ecuador, a Bent-toed gecko (πΆπ‘¦π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘œπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘π‘‘π‘¦π‘™π‘’π‘  π‘ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘Ž) in Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Gymnures (π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘‘π‘œπ‘”π‘¦π‘šπ‘›π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘’π‘‘π‘–π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑃. π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘–π‘šπ‘Ž) from the home of unique species- Philippines!

The gymnures π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘‘π‘œπ‘”π‘¦π‘šπ‘›π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘’π‘‘π‘–π‘Ž which are members of Podogymnura genus were discovered in the peak of Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental and Mt. Kampalili in Davao de Oro. Report says that both places have not been surveyed for mammals before.

The said species are shrew-like due to its golden-brown streaks in its fur and pointed nose but are actually gymnures, likewise called as hairy hedgehogs or moonrats.

𝑃. π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘–π‘šπ‘Ž, on the other hand which was previously considered as subspecies of the P. truei but was later determined as distinct, thus proclaimed as a new species. This soft-furred and smallest species of Podogymnura was found in Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon.

In consonance with the words of the scientists, our country is "highly distinct" in the fact that each mountain in it has its own unique and even endemic species.

β€œ...One has several species that occur nowhere else - not even on adjacent mountain ranges on the same island,” says co-author Laurence Heanery, Negaunee Curator of Mammals at the Field Museum in Chicago.

β€œIf you don't go look, you don't know what is there.” he added.

Indeed, Sir. Now let’s do our part by keeping these mountains a safe place for them.

Please refer to this article for further reading: https://tinyurl.com/2023-SPECIES

Photo: 𝑃. π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘’π‘‘π‘–π‘Ž
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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Press Releases
Published: 16 February 2023