The Lost World in Papua, Indonesia

In a few short weeks in these pristine rain forests on the island of Papua, an international survey team uncovered at least a dozen new mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and birds - including a Pinocchio - like frog and the world's smallest wallaby.
Many of the animals are found nowhere else but in the Foja mountaintops, whose inaccessibility has allowed the species to evolve in isolation - prompting the region's nickname: the Lost World. 


1. This tiny tree mouse, likely a new species, is one of a host of mouse and rat species that call the Foja Mountains home.




2. A hunting party of Foja woodsmen - who also helped guide the scientists - returned to camp with this rabbit-size wallaby. Others were spotted moving in the forest. Not only is the new species the world's smallest wallaby, but "in the family of the true kangaroos"-Macropodidae-"it might be the smallest one of all.




3. Like most of the Lost World's mammals, this new species of blossom bat is nocturnal. Unlike most other Papua bats of the supersize flying fox family, the new bat is only about as big as an average North American bat. It uses a really long tongue to lap up nectar and of course gets pollen on it as it moves from flower to flower, so it's also a pollinator - a bit like a bumblebee.

 



4. This Pinocchio-like tree frog species was discovered by fortunate accident when it ventured into a Foja Mountains camp kitchen and perched on a bag of rice. The male frog's nose, the scientists were surprised to discover, points upward when the animal's calling and hangs flaccid when it's not. 




5. This unnamed new imperial pigeon is among a menagerie of new species discovered in Indonesia's Foja Mountains (map), which scientists announced. 




6. A pass of the flashlight revealed this new species of bent-toed gecko by its orange eyeshine. Many of these geckos were seen in the trees, but a few were also grabbed on the ground for study. As for the gecko, it was likely a bit perplexed by the appearance of an artificial light. 




7. Some of the creatures the scientists came into contact with were remarkably unafraid of humans. Long-beaked echidnas, primitive egg-laying mammals, were happy to be picked up.




8. The Foja Mountains ( Papua, Indonesia ) appear to be one of the richest sites for frogs in the Asia-Pacific region. More than 20 new species of frogs were found in here!




9. One of the highlights was the discovery of a new species of smoky honeyeater - the first new bird species to be sighted on the island of Papua in more than 60 years.




10. An international team of scientists says it has found dozens of new species of plants and animals , just like this new bird species, during an expedition to the Foja Mountains of Papua province, Indonesia.




11. The botanical experts on the team collected more than 550 plant species, including five new palms.




12. The team repeatedly met epiphytic rhododendrons growing high in the treetops. It generates large white fragrant flowers that fell to the ground after a few days bloom.




13. More than two dozen moths and butterflies of different gathered on the expedition might prove to be a new species.



14. The team says it did not have nearly enough time during its expedition to survey the area completely and intends to return again.




15. Foja Mountains. Very few people have set foot in these precipitous mountains, where knife-edge ridges and vertical cliffs rise to 7,200 feet (2,200 meters). 




The Foja Mountains' topography and almost impenetrable forest cover make travel so difficult that even after the second expedition, the Lost World remains largely unexplored—with potentially many more new species awaiting discovery.

Conservation International (CI) expedition leaders say they hope the current round of new species discoveries will encourage Indonesia to boost protection of the region—currently a national wildlife refuge—while it's still pristine.



Source : bbc.co.uk
              nationalgeographic.com
 

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