16 दिसंबर, 2008 - Published 15:50 GMT

New species discovered in the Mekong

The conservationists are describing the largely unexplored jungles and wetlands in the Mekong Delta as a biological treasure trove. The discoveries, made in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Burma and China, range from the world's largest huntsman spider, which has a leg span of thirty centimetres, to a wild banana with purple skin.

The Conservation Science Advisor to WWF, Mark Wright, says that between 1997 and 2007, scientists found an average of two previously undiscovered species every week:

Mark Wright:
"Probably my favourite is the Dragon Millipede - it's only three centimetres long - absolutely lurid pink, and it produces cyanide to try to deter predators. I mean this is a real creature with attitude here. And then there are a few other things which I think show the way science works - one, the beautifully named Laotian Rock Rat, was discovered in a local food market, so the people who live there were very aware of this creature, but science came to it very late."

They remained unknown in the outside world for so long because political conflicts in the region kept scientists away until the 1990s.

WWF is warning that the main challenge facing the area is how to allow economic development while still maintaining environmental protection.

Rob Norris, BBC

conservationists
संरक्षणवादी, पर्यावरण की सुरक्षा करने वाले

largely unexplored
ऐसा क्षेत्र जहाँ वैज्ञानिकों की पहुँच नहीं हुई है

a biological treasure trove
ऐसा स्थान जहाँ कई दुर्लभ जीव मौजूद हैं और जो वैज्ञानिकों की नज़र से अछूता है

lurid pink
चमकीला, गहरा गुलाबी रंग

cyanide
साइनाइड, बहुत ही ज़हरीला पदार्थ

to deter predators
शिकारी जनवरों से बचने के लिए

with attitude
आक्रामक व्यक्तित्व, रवैया

conflicts
टकराव और मुक़ाबला

maintaining environmental protection
पौधों और जीवों को सुरक्षित रखना