An armoured catfish, a cowboy frog, and a host of colourful insects discovered in southwest Suriname

Coprophanaeus lancifer is the largest dung beetle species in the Neotropics. While weaponry in most animal species is restricted to males, females of this species possess a long head horn which they use to battle with other females over carrion. © Piotr N

January 2012. A scientific expedition into one of the world's last pristine tropical forests has revealed incredibly diverse species and extraordinary cultural heritage, according Conservation International (CI), announcing the results of a scientific survey in southwest Suriname that documented nearly 1,300 species, including 46 species which may be new to science.

Ecotourism opportunities
The three-week survey, an initiative of CI's long-standing Rapid Assessment Program (RAP), explored three remote sites along the Kutari and Sipaliwini Rivers near the village of Kwamalasumutu from August to September 2010, in an effort to document the region's poorly known biodiversity and help develop sustainable ecotourism opportunities for the local indigenous people. The research was conducted by a collaborative team of 53 scientists, indigenous Trio people, and students, who documented the diversity and status of plants, fishes, reptiles and amphibians, birds, small mammals, large mammals, ants, katydids, dragonflies and damselflies, aquatic beetles, and dung beetles.

The Suriname horned frog or "Pac-Man frog" (Ceratophrys cornuta)(Not new to science) is a voracious sit-and-wait predator. It has an exceptionally wide mouth, which allows it to swallow prey that is nearly as large as its own body, including mice and other frogs. This species was observed during Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program in southwest Suriname in August and September 2010. http://www.conservation.org © Trond Larsen

CI scientist and Rapid Assessment Program Director Dr. Trond Larsen said, "Our team was privileged to explore one of the last remaining areas of vast, un-roaded wilderness in the world. As a scientist, it is thrilling to study these remote forests where countless new discoveries await, especially since we believe that protecting these landscapes while they remain pristine provides perhaps the greatest opportunity for maintaining globally important biodiversity and the ecosystems people depend upon for generations to come."

New species
The findings of the expedition were recently published in the RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment series, titled "A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Kwamalasamatu region, Southwestern Suriname". Among the many highlights, scientists report new species that include a large tree-frog, eight freshwater fish, and dozens of new insects such as aquatic beetles, dung beetles, damselflies, and katydids.

"Cowboy Frog" - Hypsiboas sp. has white fringes along the legs, and a spur on the "heel." It was discovered low on a small branch during a night survey in a swampy area of the Koetari River. The main distinguishing characteristic of this frog is the lack of a certain characteristic. It looks quite similar to "the Convict Treefrog" Hypsiboas calcaratus but lacks the black and white lateral stripes ofH. calcaratus.

"Armoured Catfish" - Pseudacanthicus sp. is a catfish whose armour (external bony plates) is covered with spines to defend itself from giant piranhas which inhabit the same waters. Interestingly, one of the local guides on the expedition was about to eat this specimen as a snack, until scientists noticed its unique characteristics and preserved it as a specimen. Only a handful of Pseudacanthicus specimens are known from Suriname, and this is the first from the Sipaliwini.

"Crayola Katydid" - Vestria sp. known as Crayola katydids because of their striking coloration. They are the only katydids known to employ chemical defenses, which are effective at repelling bird and mammalian predators.

In 2000, more than 313 petroglyphs and shards of pottery were discovered in a cave system near the Trio village of Kwamalasamutu in Suriname. The site offers the most concentrated set of petroglyphs ever recorded in the Amazonian basin. To protect this cultural heritage, the Trio people have established a sanctuary around these caves and are now looking to use them as an opportunity to develop sustainable ecotourism. http://www.conservation.org © Trond Larsen

Petroglyphs
During the survey, scientists also observed extensive cave petroglyphs near the village of Kwamalasamutu, in a site known as Werehpai, which CI-Suriname is working with local communities to preserve and promote for ecotourism. Discovered as recently as 2000, the Werehpai site is the oldest known human settlement located in southern Suriname. Recent investigations and radiocarbon dates at the site indicate that the first sign of inhabitation was five-thousand years ago; they offer the most concentrated set of petroglyphs ever recorded in the Amazonian basin.

CI-Suriname Executive Director Annette Tjon Sie Fat, whose team commissioned the survey and will incorporate the research into conservation planning said, "The Kwamalasamutu area's pristine nature and cultural heritage make it a unique destination for more adventurous tourists, who enjoy trekking through the dense rainforest to discover flora and fauna. CI-Suriname and the Trio are hoping to further develop a niche market ecotourism site here, while the recommendations from the RAP will help the community to manage and maintain the 18,000 ha sanctuary they created around the region's incredible Werehpai petroglyph caves."

The 2010 RAP survey was coordinated by CI's RAP in partnership with CI-Suriname, Amazon Conservation Team, Anton De Kom University of Suriname, Suriname Forestry Service, Panthera, The Nature Conservation Division, and was made possible by a generous grant from the Alcoa Foundation.

The RAP team and CI President Russ Mittermeier will be heading back to Southern Suriname in March to continue the exploration of this pristine and globally important region. 

Extraordinary wildlife
"The area was paradise for the entomologists among us, with spectacular and unique insects everywhere. I didn't even have to look for ants because they jumped out at me", said Dr. Leeanne Alonso, a former CI RAP Director who is now with Global Wildlife Conservation. "Other scientists were equally impressed with the amazing diversity of birds and mammals of the region. You can really get up close to wildlife here - a camera trap recorded a jaguar about one hundred yards from our camp."