Ascientific expeditionto La Paz , Bolivia , discovered the cloud forest in the Bolivian Andes was hiding 20 species previously unknown to science . Among the bumper harvest of raw species are the mountain fer - Delaware - lance viper , the Bolivian fleur-de-lis snake , the diminutive frog , as well as four shining novel butterfly metal money . atomic number 27 - lead by Trond Larsen , director of Conservation International ’s Rapid Assessment Program ( RAP ) and Claudia Cortez , head of Conservation and Wildlife Management for the Municipal Government of La Paz , the enquiry saw 17 scientists trek to the Chawi Grande , a locality belonging to the Hualylipaya biotic community of La Paz , an area consider the heart of the region and known as the Zongo Valley .
Here are some of the expedition ’s most engrossing findings :
This virulent pit viper is a new species to science after being discovered during the expedition . Like all Hell vipers , it has a 6th sense in the form of two infrared - detecting organs on its headway known as pits , which enable it to smell out passing quarry .
This tiny frog is just 10 millimeters ( 0.4 inches ) in duration making it the smallest of the Andes ’ amphibious vehicle . It survive mostly below primer move around in a system of tunnels , which explains why they ’ve go so long without being discovered . The researchers tracked them by trying to find the rootage of their frequent birdsong and eventually spotted the miniature amphibians among the moss .
This little , slender snake is quite the patriot , sporting the yellow-bellied and green colors find on Bolivia ’s home flag . It was find at the highest peak survey in the expeditiousness , slide among the heavy underbrush of a miniature forest at the superlative .
Using a long - handled net to get through the forest canopy , research worker found four novel specie of butterfly stroke including three new coinage of metalmark butterfly stroke and a new forest god butterfly .
The expedition revealed that the forest was n’t just home to previously unnamed insect metal money but also a unexampled works pretending to be an insect . The Adder ’s mouth orchidaceous plant has blossom parts that mimic the form of an insect , which the researcher suggest benefit the plant by lure in unwitting pollinators . The sashay also uncovered a coinage of Myoxanthus orchid whose flowers bloom at the base of its folio , and a vivacious cup orchid with purple and yellow flowers .
The outing did n’t just find unexampled species but also bang species that had n’t been seen for decades . These included the devil - eyed Gaul , last seen 20 years ago , and another mintage of satyr butterfly that had been MIA for 98 years .
The sight was conduct out to garner data that could inform a sustainable development architectural plan for rural areas of La Paz , 78 pct of which falls within the Zongo . The municipality wish to preserve the area ’s unique and evidently thriving biodiversity and conserve its ecosystems while still prompt onward with developing the surface area .
“ These discoveries are the result of 14 days of acute fieldwork broadcast across the rugged terrain , foggy swarm forests , and cascade waterfalls of the Zongo – a sincerely beautiful and divers landscape , ” say Larsen in apress release . “ The remarkable rediscovery of species once guess out , peculiarly so close to the city of La Paz , illustrates how sustainable growing that sweep up conservation of nature can see to it retentive - term protection of biodiversity as well as the benefits ecosystems leave to people . This area has become a safe harbor for amphibians , reptiles , butterflies , and plants that have n’t been found anywhere else on Earth . ”
