A study from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reveals that during the last 10 years scientists have discovered 1,200 new species in the Amazon region.
“The study once again shows the extraordinary wealth of biodiversity in one of the most significant regions on our planet,” Francisco Ruiz, head of the WWF initiative Amazonia Viva told press agency EFE.
Among those extraordinary species is a “Martian ant” (Martialis Heureka)–a blind ant of three to four milimeters with large jaws–a bald headed multicolored parrot (Pyrilia Aurantiocephalan), and a chameleon frog (Telmatobius Sibirius).
“The diversity is overwhelming and we still discover new species,” Ruiz adds.
He also refers to the importance of protecting the Amazon region which covers 6.7 million square kilometres and stretches over eight Latin American countries.
WWF warns that during the last 50 years, mankind has caused the destruction of 17 percent of the Amazon rain forest, an area twice the size of Spain.