Researchers working in the Mekong region in Southeast Asia have discovered more than 230 as yet unrecorded vertebrate and plant species over the past year.

According to a new report by the World Wide Fund for Nature, scientists working in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam found 173 vascular plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fish species and three mammals.

The new finds bring to 3,623 the species discovered along the huge river since 1997.

Among the strangest discoveries in 2023 is a well-camouflaged lizard (Laodracon carsticola) that the WWF believes would be worthy of a role in ‘Game of Thrones’.

Hylomys macarong, a member of the hairy hedgehog or moonrat family with soft fur and sharp incisors, has been named for vampire in Vietnamese Ma ca rong.

A green-black pit viper (Trimeresurus ciliaris), which looks like it has long eyelashes, was also among the discoveries.

The researchers found a leafless orchid species (Chiloschista quangdangii), which is thought to be endangered by overexploitation.

“Although these species were identified by scientists for the first time last year, they have been living for millennia in the unique habitats of the Mekong region,” WWF Asia expert Stefan Ziegler said.

The WWF, a non-governmental international organisation based in Switzerland, called on governments in the region to protect these rare species and their habitats in the face of expanding human exploitation.

The illegal wildlife trade, loss of habitat, climate change, pollution, the introduction of invasive species and intensive logging and agriculture are all threatening this “treasure house of biodiversity,” the WWF said.

(dpa/NAN)