Mystery creature found in ‘forbidden cloud forest’ of Peru is new species of marsupial
While exploring the region around an archaeological site in Peruvian AndesThe researchers discovered a creature never seen. The lowercase and eyes with eyes with eyes born – named Marmosa Chachapoya – is a newly identified species of mouse opossum.
“We know this species very little, including its natural history and distribution, and a single specimen has been collected so far”, ” Silvia PavanA biologist at Cal Poly Humboldt who directed the research expedition that discovered the creature, said in a statement.
Pavan and his team were looking for a mysterious kind of squirrel Río Abiseo National Park In 2018, when they found the opossum. The small mammal, which was only 4 inches (10 centimeters) long, had marks of reddish brown fur and mask.
“I immediately realized that it was something unusual,” said Pavan, partly because mouse -bound -related species are generally not at this altitude – 8,740 feet (2,664 meters) above sea level.
The team has spent years studying DNA and the physical characteristics of Opossum and comparing them to data from other mouse opossums in museum collections around the world. In June, the researchers published their detailed study in the journal Novitates of the American museumnominate Marmosa Chachapoyain honor of the ancient people who lived in the region before Inca empire took over.
The old Chachapoya People lived in northern Peru from around 800 AD until the arrival of the Incas in the 1470s. Often called “Persons of the cloudy forest“The Chachapoya lived on wet and rugged land in the East Andes and built their houses at the top.
More than three dozen archaeological sites have been recorded in Río Abiseo National ParkAnd many are associated with the Chachapoya. But the distant and difficult to access park has also been created as an important conservation area to protect plants and animals found anywhere else on earth. These include Woolly yellow -tailed monkey (Lagothrix Flavicauda), which was once considered extinguished.
In addition to the new mouse opossum species, Pavan and his team have discovered several other animals they think have never been documented by scientists. These creatures, which include a semiaquatic rodent, have not yet been officially described.
The discovery of a new marsupial species is “a reminder of the critical importance of scientific exploration and conservation in areas like Río Abiseo,” said Pavan.
Animal quiz: Test on these funny questions about animals
