The tiny Lilliputian beetle (Canthidium cf. minimum) probably represents a new species to science, and perhaps even a new genus. At just 2.3 millimeters long, it may be the smallest dung beetle in the Guiana Shield, and perhaps the second smallest of currently described species in South America. Its antlerlike antennae provide an acute sense of smell. Dung beetles play critical ecological roles that help support healthy ecosystems — by burying dung, they regulate parasites and disease, disperse seeds and recycle nutrients to promote plant growth. Since dung beetle communities are tightly linked with the mammals that provide them with food, they are also commonly studied as indicators of hunting intensity and ecosystem health.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
A potentially new species of head-and-taillight tetra (Hemigrammus aff. ocellifer) is just one of 11 potentially new fish species discovered on the expedition, including a South American darter and a three-barbeled catfish. Fish were diverse and plentiful at the study sites, and included many large fish that are an important source of food for local people.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
The snouted tree frog (Scinax sp.) is one of six potentially new frog species discovered during the expedition. This species represents the newest member of a diverse genus of very agile, fast-moving frogs. One leapt right onto the table during dinner at camp and nimbly eluded the numerous scientists clustered about.
Stuart V Nielsen / Conservation International
The unusual dorsal coloration of this poison dart frog (Anomaloglossus sp.) differs from a similar species (Anomaloglossus baeobatrachus) found at the same sites, suggesting that it may represent a species new to science. Poison dart frogs are famous for the often-powerful toxins they secrete; the poisons are used by local people to hunt for food, but they also hold enormous potential to yield new medicines to aid the global population. Chemicals from some poison dart frogs have already been used to develop painkillers, muscle relaxants and heart stimulants.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
This interesting catfish species (Parotocinclus sp.), which is potentially new to science, was collected in a tributary of the Upper Palumeu River. It has an unusual pigmentation pattern, similar to Microglanis catfish.
Sandra J. Raredon / Conservation International
This undescribed katydid species (Pseudophyllinae: Teleutini) is so strange that it actually represents an entirely new genus to science. Its unusually long, gangly legs are covered in sharp spines that help to deter predators. Many katydids are sensitive to habitat disturbance, and the species found on this expedition indicate that the region is pristine.
Piotr Naskrecki / Conservation International
This water beetle not only represents a new species but also a new genus to science. This species was found living in water seepages on granite mountaintops and may live only in southeastern Suriname. The RAP team also found 25 other water beetle species on the expedition that are new to science. Many of the water beetles found by the team are indicative of the unusually high freshwater quality in the region.
Andrew Short / Conservation International
Unusually strong and long-lasting rain caused the Upper Palumeu River to flood its banks, completely inundating the scientists' camp and forcing the team to move sooner than planned. Here, RAP Director Trond Larsen stands in the middle of the formerly dry camp.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
A view into the lowlands from an outlook of Kasikasima, a unique granitic mountain formation that rises more than 2,000 feet above the rain forest. RAP scientists found several unusual and unique species on this mountain, including water beetle species new to science.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
Water is a precious resource in Suriname, providing many of the goods and services people throughout the country depend upon. Here, a local fisherman — and one of the team's invaluable guides — leaps through the rapids with his makeshift fishing pole.
Brian O'Shea / Conservation International
In order to set up a base camp, a team of local villagers had to make their way upriver for several days, often carrying boats through the forest around rapids, cutting trails and constructing tents for sleeping hammocks, a kitchen and a dining area. Pictured here is the research tent, where scientists processed and analyzed their specimens. A generator helped researchers optimize their time in the field by working late into the night.
Andrew Short / Conservation International
Many planthopper species exude waxy secretions from the abdomen, and these sometimes form long strands, such as can be seen in this photo. The long waxy strands may provide protection from predators — it could be that they fool a predator into attacking the wrong part of the insect, so that the wax breaks off while the insect can jump to safety. This juvenile planthopper is about 5 millimeters long.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
The larger fruit-eating bat (Artibeus planirostris), which was already known to science before the trip, was the most abundant bat during the survey. With their sharp teeth, they are capable of grabbing and eating large fruits. Using numerous transects of finely meshed mist nets stretched through the forest, scientists discovered 28 bat species on the expedition.
Burton Lim / Conservation International
While not rare, small wildcats such as this margay (Leopardus wiedii) are extremely shy and difficult to observe directly. The bird experts spotted this cat just before dawn on the overhanging branch of a tree and were able to observe it only twelve feet away for two or three minutes before it nimbly leapt away. Unlike most cats, the margay is adapted to a life in the trees, where it hunts birds, rodents and even monkeys.
Brian O'Shea / Conservation International
A large wolf spider eats a toxic poison-dart frog (Amereega trivitatta) — an extremely rare event.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
Coprophanaeus lancifer is the largest of all South American dung beetles. Despite its name, this species feeds more frequently on carrion than on dung. A highly unusual case in the animal kingdom, both males and females of this species possess a long horn on their head, which they use during intense battles with other individuals of the same sex. The vast difference in adult body size seen here is primarily determined by how much food was available to the developing larva. This species is capable of rapidly burying large animal carcasses, providing an important ecological service that sustains rain forest health.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
This previously discovered orchid (Phragmipedium lindleyanum) is one of several rare and beautiful orchid species found on a mountaintop of the hitherto unexplored Grensgebergte Mountains. Many rare species occur on these distinctive granite out-croppings in Suriname. Species that form on mountaintops are highly vulnerable to climate change, since they are unable to migrate upslope in response to warming temperatures.
Trond Larsen / Conservation International
via Science - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNESIIl89cmiGojTwDmLQD_DlUVbCA&url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/from-suriname-the-known-world-just-grew-a-bit-larger/2013/10/03/309b4d5c-2c47-11e3-b139-029811dbb57f_gallery.html
Put the internet to work for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment