Significant Arthropod Finds of the Greater Mekong

Some of the richest habitats on Earth can be found in the Greater Mekong, a region comprising Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China. From 1997-2007, scientists described at least 1,068 new species in this region.

Among invertebrates alone, thousands of new specimens were discovered. Cataloging them may prove an impossible task. The finds range from the microscopic to the terrifying. In this image gallery, I've included five of the most amazing invertebrate finds.

The World Wildlife Fund lists a staggering 200 ecoregions, critical landscapes of international biological importance, in the Greater Mekong. Many vital habitats face growing pressures as a consequence of unsustainable development. To learn more about the Greater Mekong Programme, visit their website.

Source: First Contact in the Greater Mekong, WWF. Some text in this article is from the WWF report, written by Christian Thompson.