Strange species found in Suriname

There has been a recent thread or two about species and things found in Suriname. I just came across a couple articles that detail the exploration and their findings extremely well. They include some brilliant photos and video too! Give this OP a look-see and then be sure to check out the article links.

Surveying the biodiversity of the world's last wild areas is often a depressing business, due to the effects of deforestation and development, but in a roadless region of the South American country of Suriname, scientists have come upon a good-news story.

Part of the payoff for Conservation International comes in the form of scientific discovery. Today, the nonprofit group is reporting the identification of 46 potentially new species, observed during a three-week expedition to southwest Suriname in 2010. The list includes a fancifully named "cowboy frog," a strangely spiked species of armored catfish, and colorful breeds of beetles and katydids.

"You can really get up close to wildlife here," she said in a news release. "A camera trap recorded a jaguar about one hundred yards from our camp." The cameras captured nighttime glimpses of a giant armadillo, a peccary and an ocelot as well.

The scientists also observed cave petroglyphs near the Trio village of Kwamalasamutu, at a site that Conservation International is helping local communities preserve as an ecotourism destination. The site, known as Werehpai, is the oldest known human settlement found in southern Suriname: Radiocarbon dating and archaeological studies suggest that the first signs of habitation go back at least 5,000 years.

You should visit the original source and additional sources if you're interested in seeing more pictures and even some video. I recommend as it's such a cool collection.

Link to Original Source (includes photos & video)

Link to Additional Source (includes photos)

reply to post by freakjive


Some really beautiful animal photo s and video, nice find op