‘Vampire’ hedgehog among 234 new species identified in Asia

An extraordinary 234 new species were described by scientists in the Greater Mekong region of South-East Asia in 2023. The finds, announced in a report from conservation organisation WWF, include 173 species of plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fish and three mammals.

Since 1997, more than 3500 new plant and vertebrate animal species have been identified in the area the report covers, which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – an average of 130 a year.

Here are six of the new species, including a furry hedgehog named after vampires, an almost invisible dragon lizard and a leafless orchid on the verge of extinction.

Hylomys macarong

The furry member of the hedgehog family pictured above is endemic to Vietnam. Hylomys macarong may look innocuous, but its name macarong means vampire in Vietnamese. It got its moniker thanks to its long, pointed fangs, which remain hidden in this picture.

Hipposideros kingstonae

This tiny leaf-nosed bat can be found from Thailand to Borneo. DNA analysis confirmed that Hipposideros kingstonae was a new species in 2023.

It isn’t known where the diminutive bat, which weighs between just 4.9 and 7 grams, roosts. It has been sighted near large limestone caves, suggesting it could shelter inside them, but also in areas far away from any known caves, so it could roost in tree hollows.

Laodracon carsticola

Sharp eyesight is required to spot this tiny lizard (Laodracon carsticola) high on the rugged karst pinnacles of Laos, which may explain why the species has been overlooked by scientists until now. One of the earliest known sightings of this lizard was by a guide on a zipline tour.

The lizard is a member of the Agamidae (dragon lizard) family and has only been seen 50 to 70 metres high on limestone pinnacles. It is likely to have evolved unique traits to help it survive in its eroded, rocky microhabitat.

Zhangixalus melanoleucus

This lime-green tree frog (Zhangixalus melanoleucus) was discovered 2000 metres above sea level in the evergreen forests of Phou Samsoum mountain in northern Laos. The area is home to many other endemic species, yet is one of the least studied parts of Asia.

Trimeresurus uetzi

This vibrant snake was believed to be Trimeresurus albolabris, one of the most common species of pit viper in Asia, which is found from Nepal to Indonesia.

But DNA studies of 25 specimens collected in Myanmar have revealed that it is a different species, now named Trimeresurus uetzi, that has so far only been seen in central and southern Myanmar.

Chiloschista quangdangii

This leafless orchid of the Chiloschista genus, members of which are known as starfish orchids, has only ever been found at a single location near Lung Muoi, a tiny remote village in northern Vietnam. It is thought to be extremely rare.

Yet the orchid is now sometimes found in the local plant market, which suggests that the local population of Chiloschista quangdangii is being depleted by the wildlife trade.