353 New Species Discovered in the Himalayas

Asian Babbler Bird

This story is so interesting!!

KATMANDU, Nepal — The world's smallest deer, a flying frog and catfish that stick to rocks — as well as more than 350 other species — have been discovered over the past decade in the Himalayas, making it one of the world's most biologically rich regions, an environmental group said Monday.

But researchers warn that the effects of climate change, as well as development, threaten the diverse habitat that supports these species.

"The group found that almost three-quarters of the discoveries between 1998 and 2008 were plants, including 21 new orchid species. But it also listed 16 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 14 fish, two birds, two mammals and at least 60 new invertebrates. Most of the discoveries have already been reported in peer-reviewed, scientific journals.

"There will be close to 3,000-5,000 species that will be discovered if a systematic study is done over the next five years," said Bittu Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary Asia.

WOW!!

353 New Species Discovered in the Himalayas - FOXNews.com