INTRODUCTION

An extraordinary 380 new species of vascular plants and vertebrate animals were discoveredi in the Greater Mekong region in 2021 and 2022 - 175 and 205 species, respectively.

The Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia - comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam - is part of the larger Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. It is home to globally iconic and endangered species, including the tiger, the Asian elephant, the Sunda pangolin and the giant freshwater stingray. New species are discovered here constantly, as researchers continue to explore remote natural habitats and sift through specimens preserved decades back in natural history museums across the world. The 2021 and 2022 discoveries bring the total species of vascular plants, fshes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals described in the region by science since 1997 to 3,389ii.

In the last two years, researchers have brought some remarkable new species to the world’s attention, including a thick-thumbed bat; a new poisonous krait named after a snake goddess from a Chinese myth; a gecko that was discovered near the capital city of Laos; a new cutthroat eel, which is only the third species described in its genus; and a ginger-like plant dispersed by ants.

These new species, painstakingly identifed and described by keen naturalists and taxonomists, and compiled here by WWF-Greater Mekong, demonstrate that the region is still a fertile ground for scientifc exploration and a hotspot of species diversity. But they also remind us of what we stand to lose if human settlements and development activities in the region continue to destroy the natural habitats. Many species go extinct before they are even discovered, driven by habitat destruction, diseases spread by human activities, competition with invasive species and the devastating wildlife trade. The discovery of new species every year highlights the importance of the remaining natural ecosystems and the interest of biological explorers in the Greater Mekong. It also drives home the tremendous need for increasing protection of species and habitats. Without substantial conservation action, we will continue to lose the biodiversity that makes our region rich and unique. With active conservation eforts by governments, scientists, NGOs and local communities, we can enable incredible new species, like the ones highlighted here, to continue to persist and be discovered for many years to come.