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Google map leads Kew scientists to hundreds of new species
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent3 Mar 2009
IT is a lost world, untouched by humans and packed with previously unseen species of animals and plants.
Today scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew revealed the first images of some of the hundreds of new species they discovered on an expedition to a remote Mozambique jungle.
They used Google's online map to pinpoint the remote Mount Mabu area, a 7,000-hectare forest that had previously been overlooked because of inhospitable terrain and decades of civil war.
In only three weeks, the team found hundreds of plant species, birds, butterflies, monkeys and a new species of giant snake.
The scientists have already identified seven new species of butterfly, six types of bird and a new breed of adder. They hope to find dozens more in the coming months as they analyse the specimens they brought back.
Expedition leader Jonathan Timberlake said his team, which is analysing the species, was stunned by its discoveries.
"The diversity is just mind-boggling - seeing how things are adapted to little niches, to me this is the phenomenal thing. If we don't have wonder as a human species, where are we? If we don't have excitement, what are we doing with our lives?"
Mr Timberlake also believes there may be other small pockets of biodiversity around the world that are yet to be discovered and could be stumbled upon by searching on Google Earth, especially in areas such as Mozambique or Papua New Guinea which have not been fully explored.
He said: "We cannot say we have discovered all the biodiversity areas in the world, there are still more to discover. It helps to find new species to make people realise what is out there."
Reader views (4)
Dont be silly Alan, NL would first tax all the new species under the "New species tax bracket"
- Ben, London, UK, 04/03/2009 08:22
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What ever happened to all that crispy back bacon that we used to get before the war?
- John Bowles(Ex Pat Englishman), White Plains, New York,USA., 04/03/2009 04:40
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Everybody is on their way out there as we speak.there is only one species destroyed this planet,MAN.
- David., Chertsey.UK., 03/03/2009 18:49
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Don't give away the exact location otherwise NL will want to build affordable housing there.
- Alan Preen, McLean, Texas, USA., 03/03/2009 15:16
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