New mammals discovered in Congo

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It’s not always bad news - while Extinction Watch may be a reminder of the problems of the loss of biodiversity, sometimes good news actually comes in of recent fauna discoveries.

Usually these involve discoveries of new species, alongside warnings of their imminent disappearance - but this time it’s the other way around.

In the Republic of Congo, in a biologically isolated area of forest already long used as a rebel base - and off-limits to researchers since 1960 - reports have come in of no less than 4 new species of mammal and 2 of frogs being discovered.

Larger fauna such as chimpanzees, bongos (antelope), buffalo, elephants, leopards and several species of monkey show diminished numbers because of the conflict, but there were enough samples of the smaller new species to begin the classification process.

What’s especially encouraging is that the research only covered a single kilometre square of forest as well:

Lost forest reveals new species

The survey, led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), was carried out between January and March 2007.

WCS researcher Dr Andrew Plumptre said: “If we can find six new species in such a short period it makes you wonder what else is out there.

“The block of forest has probably been isolated from the rest of the Congo forest block for about 10,000 years.”

Of the two new amphibian species discovered, one, a small bright green frog, is in the Hyperolius genus, the other, a 1-2cm-long black frog may belong to a completely new genus.

The conservationists believe they might also have found several new plant species in the forested region, which includes the Misotshi-Kabogo Forest.

The expedition’s botanists were unable to identify about 10% of the new plant samples they collected. The specimens will now be examined by specialists to confirm if they represent new species.