The species discovered belong to 19 Protected Natural Areas. The Yanachaga Chemillén National Park is the PNA with the largest record of new species.

Lima, May 21, 2021.- Year after year, Protected Natural Areas are being the subject of a large number of investigations promoted by the National Service of Protected Natural Areas by the State (Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado-Sernanp), a body attached to the Ministry of the Environment. Proof of this are the 51 new species discovered in 19 PNAs during the last 11 years.

Among the species discovered are the bird Capito fitzpatricki, the reptile Enyalioides rudolfarndti sp. nov., the amphibian Ranitomeya amazónica, the reptile Potamites erythrocularis and the mammal Cryptotis evaristoi sp. nov., etc.

The discovery of these never-before-seen species corresponds to 39% amphibians, 31% flora, 14% reptiles, 10% birds, 2% mammals, 2% fish and 2% insects.

With this record, relevant not only for Peru but for the world, the top Protected Natural Areas with the most new species for science is confirmed: Yanachaga Chemillén National Park, in Pasco (10); Pui Protection Forest, in Junín (9); Cordillera Azul National Park, in San Martín, Loreto, Ucayali and Huánuco (7); Río Abiseo National Park, in San Martín (5); Tabaconas Namballe National Sanctuary, in Cajamarca (3); El Sira Communal Reserve, in Huánuco, Pasco and Ucayali (3); and the Tingo María National Park, in Huánuco (2).

Research in progress

Scientific studies in Protected Natural Areas nationwide have been carried out free of charge since 2015, after the Peruvian Government declared the development of research within these protected areas of national interest. In this case, the researchers worked with efforts that evidenced results in fauna (43%), biodiversity and ecosystems (23%), flora (18%), water, soil, and air (6%) and hydrobiological assessments (3 %).

Likewise, this research is closely related to studies on ecosystem services, ecosystem restoration, evaluation of ecological functions and the discovery of new species for science, etc.

Biodiversity record

The record kept by Sernanp calculates that, of the 3507 species in Peru such as mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, 82.1% are found in Protected Natural Areas, thus reaffirming the importance of these natural spaces within the framework of the International Day of Biological Diversity, celebrated on May 22nd.

On the other hand, 179 of these species are threatened, according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). With this evidence, efforts, and commitment to the conservation of these spaces have increased, which have become the cradle of biodiversity for the world.

Source: Sernanp Communications