20 New Species Found In Rediscovered Wildlife In Bolivian Andes

A team of scientists explored Bolivia's Zongo Valley and identified a total of 1,204 species, 20 of which were new to science.

The Zongo Valley is covered by misty cloud forests and mountain peaks that measure 10,000 feet above sea level. For many years, it hid treasures within, including some species previously not known to science. But thanks to a team of researchers who braved its bumpy terrain for two weeks, some of these treasures were finally revealed.

The 20 newly discovered species included a new snake species, a Lilliputian frog, four orchids and four butterfly species. Also included in the discovery was the devil-eyed frog, which was thought to be already extinct.

The discovery of the new species is special not only because of its environmental significance but also because the area is close to a large and busy city.

"One of the things that surprised me the most was how close the valley is to La Paz, one of Bolivia's largest cities. Imagine a bustling urban center filled with people just 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from an untouched valley overflowing with biodiversity," Trond Larsen, a biologist who led the expedition to the Zongo Valley, said in an interview with Conversation News.

The last time scientists saw the devil-eyed frog was more than 20 years ago. The frog is distinct for its striking red eyes. Its rediscovery became significant because the frog populations have been diminishing in recent years.

Another interesting sighting in the area was the butterfly Euptychoides fida, which was not seen for about 100 years. More fascinating was the rediscovery of two plant species, Stromanthe angustifolia and Alzatea verticillata that were not seen for the past 125 and 127 years, respectively. Stromanthe angustifolia has always captivated the attention of scientists for its folding leaves that look like hands in prayer.

Larsen and his team identified a total of 746 land plant species. Among them, eight were new to Bolivia and at least 13 were new to science.

As for the animal species, the two snakes were identified as Eutrachelophis colubrid and the other a Bothrops viper.

The expedition led by Larsen was part of the project called Rapid Assessment Program, which was headed by Conservation International. The latter is an organization aiming to analyze the healthy ecosystems in parts of the world and secure its critical benefits to the human population.