PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 4:32 PM by Tevita

24 new species found in PNG highlands

From : PACNEWS

24 OCTOBER 2007 ALOTAU (Pacnews) – The discovery of 24 new species of plants and frogs in the highlands of Papua New Guinea has forced scientists to call for the protection of the biodiversity of the remote Kaijende Highlands.

Of the 24 species – 16 are new plant and the rest were new types of frogs. They were discovered by a group of scientists from Conservation International in 2005.

“A management plan needs to be developed to reduce threats posed by climate change, increasing fire frequency and hunting, said Conservation International.

The findings were revealed in a report tabled at the 8th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas, underway in the small town of Alotau in PNG’s Milne Bay Province.

In 2005, an expedition consisting of scientists and representatives from PNG’s department of environment went to the highlands to assess conservation needs when they stumbled onto these new species.

“The vast near uninhabited Kaijende highlands boasts some of PNG’s most pristine and scenic habitat, but little is known about it despite mining in the area, said Dr Steve Richards of the South Australian Museum, who led the expedition.

“Our findings will be used in future conservation activities in the area.”

In total, the group documented 643 species, including the new plants and frog species.

“One of the frogs probably represents a new genus,” a statement from Conservation International said.

Also, a spectacular bird of paradise known as the Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, which has the longest tail feathers in relation to body size of any bird, was found to be in abundance than other areas of PNG.

Conservation International is working with local authorities and communities to have the region formally declared as a protected area….PNS (ENDS)



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DIVA-GIS	Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Posted 4:32 PM by Tevita 24 new species found in PNG highlands From : PACNEWS 24 OCTOBER 2007 ALOTAU (Pacnews) – The discovery of 24 new species of plants and frogs in the highlands of Papua New Guinea has forced scientists to call for the protection of the biodiversity of the remote Kaijende Highlands. Of the 24 species – 16 are new plant and the rest were new types of frogs. They were discovered by a group of scientists from Conservation International in 2005. “A management plan needs to be developed to reduce threats posed by climate change, increasing fire frequency and hunting, said Conservation International. The findings were revealed in a report tabled at the 8th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas, underway in the small town of Alotau in PNG’s Milne Bay Province. In 2005, an expedition consisting of scientists and representatives from PNG’s department of environment went to the highlands to assess conservation needs when they stumbled onto these new species. “The vast near uninhabited Kaijende highlands boasts some of PNG’s most pristine and scenic habitat, but little is known about it despite mining in the area, said Dr Steve Richards of the South Australian Museum, who led the expedition. “Our findings will be used in future conservation activities in the area.” In total, the group documented 643 species, including the new plants and frog species. “One of the frogs probably represents a new genus,” a statement from Conservation International said. Also, a spectacular bird of paradise known as the Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, which has the longest tail feathers in relation to body size of any bird, was found to be in abundance than other areas of PNG. Conservation International is working with local authorities and communities to have the region formally declared as a protected area….PNS (ENDS) * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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