Flying squirrel and skydiving gecko among new species

A skydiving gecko and a fish that mates head-to- head are among hundreds of new species found by scientists in the Greater Mekong region.

Other discoveries in the South East Asian region in 2012 to 2013 include a new species of giant flying squirrel, an eyeless cave- dwelling spider, and a green flying frog which glides between treetops using large webbed hands and feet.

They are among 367 new species documented in a report by conservation charity WWF, Mysterious Mekong, published on World Environment Day to highlight the diverse wildlife in the region.

The news species include 290 plants, 24 fish, 21 amphibians, 28 reptiles, three mammals, and one bird. Dr Thomas Gray, manager of WWF-Greater Mekong’s species programme, said: “The species discoveries affirm the Greater Mekong as one of the world’s richest and most biodiverse regions.

“If we’re to prevent these new species disappearing into extinction, and to keep alive the hope of finding other fascinating creatures in years to come, it’s critical that governments invest in conservation and green growth strategies.”

The new species of parachute gecko, a camouflage-patterned lizard which extends flaps of skin on its flanks and between its toes to glide from branch to tree trunk, was found in mountainous forest in western Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park.

The discovery of the new species of flying squirrel, the Laotian giant flying squirrel which has distinctive red and white fur, is based on a single animal collected from a bush meat market in Laos.

A new species of warbler was found hiding in plain sight in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh.

In Vietnam, scientists have identified a new bat, the Griffin’s leaf-nosed bat, with a strange fleshy- looking nose that helps it with the echolocation it uses to navigate. A huge green frog, Helen’s Flying Flog, was discovered less than 60 miles (97km) from Ho Chi Minh City.