Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Seven new species discovered in Cambodia last year

Seven new species discovered in Cambodia last year

A member of the Schistura kampucheensis fish species, which was discovered in 2016 in Cambodia.
A member of the Schistura kampucheensis species, which was discovered in 2016 in Cambodia. Myloslav Petrtyl

Seven new species discovered in Cambodia last year

A new species of loach, a long-bodied striped freshwater fish, is one of seven species to have been discovered in 2016 in Cambodia, according to a World Wildlife Fund report released yesterday detailing the discovery of some 115 new Greater Mekong Region species in 2016.

The find was made in a stream in Bokor National Park by Joerg Bohlen, Miloslav Petrtyl, Petra Chaloupkova and Chhouk Borin, a joint team from the University of Phnom Penh and the Czech University of Life Sciences, according to the report.

“Finding a new species is always exciting,” Bohlen is quoted as saying in the report.

According to Bohlen, the loach, named Schistura kampucheensis, is likely relatively widely distributed in the Kingdom, and its population is expected to be stable for the time being.

“They have only been found in smaller streams and not in the mainstream of any larger rivers in the country, many of which see detrimental effects on wildlife due to large hydropower dams and agricultural runoff,” the report reads, noting that so long as the forests the streams run through remain safe from deforestation, the species should continue to thrive.

The report also notes six newly identified plants found in the Kingdom.

Updated: 6:48am, Wednesday 20 December 2017

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.