Researchers on a 38-day expedition in Peru’s Alto Mayo landscape discovered 27 species new to science, including a "blob-headed fish" and a semi-aquatic mouse. Conducted by Conservation International, the survey explored this 1.9-million-acre area, rich in biodiversity but under threat from deforestation and agriculture.
Among the new finds were four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians, and 10 butterflies. The semi-aquatic mouse, with webbed toes for swimming, is particularly rare and found in a small swamp forest threatened by human activity. Another standout is the blob-headed fish, with a unique swollen head, whose function remains a mystery.
The amphibious mouse belongs to a group of semi-aquatic rodents considered among the rarest in the world. Ronald Diaz/Conservation International
The expedition documented over 2,000 species, 49 of which are on the IUCN Red List. Indigenous researchers, like the Awajún community, played a key role in the discoveries. Their knowledge supports conservation efforts that integrate science and traditional wisdom.
Lead researcher Trond Larsen emphasized the urgency of protecting such biodiversity, highlighting that the findings aim to drive conservation efforts that benefit both nature and local communities.
