Amazon Expeditions Since 2010 Discover at Least 441 New Species

Caqueta titi monkey or Callicebus caquetensis, a 'purring' monkey.
Image credit The Guardian.

At least 441 new species of animal have been discovered in the Colombian areas of the Amazon Rainforest from 2010 to 2013. These discoveries include include a herbivorous piranha relative and a monkey that purrs like a cat.



Perhaps the most well known of the discoveries is the Caqueta titi monkey, the youngsters of which purr like a cat when content. The individuals raised by the scientists would do the same thing. Near Guyana, a shy species of 'fire-headed' lizard has been discovered, although the scientists fear it may already be highly endangered. 

The thumbnail-sized "thimble frog" has been given a Latin name (Allobates amissibilis) meaning "that may be lost", because it thrives in an area of Guyana that could soon be opened up to tourism. A herbivorous species of piranha (Tometes camunani), inhabits the rapids of the Amazon River, where the type of aquatic herb it feeds on is found. However, dam projects and mining activity in Pará state are threatening the health and flow of its river habitat.

Many of the new plant species are also under threat, because they occupy very small ranges.