Reuters AlertNet Lite - New snake and orchids found in Vietnam

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

New snake and orchids found in Vietnam

25 Sep 2007 23:01:14 GMT
Source: Reuters

LONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Scientists have discovered 11 plant and animal species, including a snake, in a remote area of Vietnam, environment group World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said on Wednesday.

The new species, found in an area of Vietnam's Annamites Mountain Range known as the Green Corridor, also include two butterflies, five orchids -- including three leafless varieties -- and three other plants.

"You only discover so many new species in very special places, and the Green Corridor is one of them," said Chris Dickinson, WWF's chief technical adviser in the area.

"Several large mammal species were discovered in the 1990s in the same forests, which means that these latest discoveries could be just the tip of the iceberg."

The latest discoveries were made between 2005 and 2006.

The new snake species has been named the white-lipped keelback. WWF said it lives by streams on a diet of frogs and other small animals and can grow to 80 centimetres in length.

Three of the orchid species are entirely leafless, have no chlorophyl and, like many fungal species, live on decaying matter.

The other new plants include the Aspidistra nicolai which produces an almost black flower and a new species of arum, the Cryptocoryne vietnamica, which has yellow flowers surrounded by funnel-shaped leaves.

Recent surveys have shown the Green Corridor area is home to many threatened species including 15 reptiles and amphibians and six bird species.

WWF said it was worried endangered species in the area were at risk from illegal logging, hunting, unsustainable extraction of natural resources and conflicting development interests.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Vietnam profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• New "East Asia - Pacific" hub for global HR network People In Aid, global
People In Aid - UK

• Publications Update: a new newsletter from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

• New International Health Partnership must build on AIDS accountability
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

• Grand Designs grows a 'greener' garden for the world's poor
Christian Aid - UK

• Christian Aid plans to double volunteer teacher network
Christian Aid - UK

MORE >>

Latest news

• New snake and orchids found in Vietnam

• Migrating birds may "see" Earth's magnetic field

• EU urged to boost health care for illegal migrants

• "Batman" film technician dies in accident

• FACTBOX-Military deaths in Afghanistan

MORE >>

Last updated:Tue Sep 25 23:01:49 2007