A monkey which sneezes in the rain and a “walking” fish are among more than 200 new species discovered in the Eastern Himalayas in recent years.

 

A report on wildlife in Nepal, Bhutan, the far north of Myanmar, southern Tibet and north-eastern India has revealed discoveries in the past five years including 133 plants, 26 species of fish, 10 new amphibians, one reptile, one bird and one mammal.

 

The discoveries include a new bird named the spotted wren-babbler, a striking blue-eyed frog and a lance-headed pit viper snake with an ornate yellow, red and orange pattern that could pass for a piece of jewelry, conservation organization WWF said.

 

Scientists learned of the snub-nosed monkey – or “Snubby” as they nicknamed the species – from locals in the remote forests of northern Myanmar, who said it was easy to find when it was raining because it often got rainwater in its upturned nose, causing it to sneeze.

 

To avoid the problem, snub-nosed monkeys spend rainy days sitting with their heads tucked between their knees, the report said.

 

Among the new fish found is a vibrant blue dwarf “walking” snakehead fish, found in West Bengal, India, which breathes air, can survive on land for up to four days and can writhe and wriggle up to quarter of a mile over wet ground between bodies of water.

 

But the report also warns of the threats facing the newly-discovered species, with just a quarter of the original habitats in the region still intact and hundreds of plants and animals living in the Eastern Himalayas considered to be globally threatened.

 

Climate change is the most serious threat to the region, while population growth, deforestation, poaching, mining, overgrazing, the wildlife trade, pollution and development of hydroelectric dams are all putting pressure on nature in the Eastern Himalayas.

 

WWF is supporting countries in the region to develop “green” economies that value nature and the services it provides to millions of people living in the Eastern Himalayas, for example through sustainable hydropower schemes and helping people adapt to climate change.

 

 

PHOTO: The vibrant blue walking snakehead fish was discovered in West Bengal, India.

CREDIT: Henning Strack Hansen/WWF.