We have to travel to the Andes, to the forests of the Zongo Valley in Bolivia, which lie wrapped in padded clouds at more than 3,000 meters above sea level , to come across a unique discovery: up to 20 new species unknown to science. Orchids, butterflies, frogs … the team of researchers who walked for two weeks through the rugged terrain of the valley and mist did not expect to find the amount of treasures that the thick clouds hid.
In the heart of the cloud forest they discovered 20 species new to science and rediscovered several species that had not been seen in several decades. Co-led by biologist Trond Larsen, the expedition was part of Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program , which brings together “SWAT ecological teams” to assess the health of ecosystems around the world. Its goal is to help frame a sustainable approach to cloud forest control: one that benefits all forms of life, whether human or not.
In the misty forest
High in the rugged mountains are a variety of well-preserved habitats that thrive on lush biodiversity. It was among those cloud forests that the researchers cataloged more than 1,200 species in total, 770 of which had never been seen in this part of the world before, and found the “fer-de-lance mountain viper,” the “Bolivian flag snake.” and the “Lilliputian frog”, as well as spectacular species of orchids and butterflies.
“These discoveries are the result of 14 days of intense fieldwork spread over rugged terrain, cloud forests and Zongo waterfalls,” said Conservation International Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) biologist Trond Larsen, who co-led the expedition of almost 20 researchers from both Bolivian and international institutions. “This area has become a safe haven for amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and plants that have not been found anywhere else on Earth.”
Devil eyes frog
This species was believed to be extinct, as it was last observed 20 years ago, before a hydroelectric dam was built in its habitat. Since it was never sighted again, it was assumed that the species of devil-eyed frog ( Oreobates zongoensis ), black with deep red eyes , was extinct. However, they rediscovered it and, for the experts, “it was quite an epiphany, incredibly exciting.”
Satyr butterfly
The satyr butterfly ( Euptychoides fida ) was last seen 98 years ago and fortunately was rediscovered in the undergrowth of the Zongo Valley, caught in a trap that contained its food source of rotten fruit.
Among the 20 new species discovered we can highlight some very amazing specimens, such as the Lilliputian frog (Noblella sp.nov.) Which measures approximately 10 millimeters in length, the ‘Bolivian flag’ snake ( Eutrachelophis sp. Nov.) , a land snake and thin that is distinguished by presenting colors such as red, yellow and green, similar to those of the Bolivian flag, a new species of poisonous viper called mountain snake ( Bothrops monsignifer ) or even purple and yellow orchids ; in particular, four new species of orchids, four previously unknown species of butterflies and a type of bamboo that had never been documented.
