Mosquitia Rainforest of Honduras: "The White City"
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| Mosquitia rainforest of Honduras (Image:CNN) |
Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) of Conservation International
founded in 1990 to get more and more knowledge about ecosystem. It sends team
of experts on short expeditions into world critically important field sites. At
these sites experts evaluate the state of regions biodiversity and the health
of ecosystem.
Recently, Rapid Assessment Program team spend three weeks in
Mosquitia rainforest of Honduras. And what they found out this time was quite
surprising. They found some rare and endangered species, which we thought of
being extinct.
As per the reports of The Independence, “The research team
named that explored ancient settlement as “Lord City of Monkey God” or “White
city”. This place has hundreds of species of butterflies, bats and reptiles.
Research team discovered 246 species of butterflies and
moths, 30 species of bats and 57 amphibians and reptiles. Director of RAP,
Trond Larsen said that, “We were shocked to discover such a rich environment of
rare species, the white city is one of the few areas remaining in Central
America where ecological and evolutionary processes remain intact”.
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| Baird Tapir (Image:CNN) |
Baird Tapir also known as the Central American Tapir, this
endangered species is native to Mexico, Central America and north-western South
America. According to the IUCN, Baird Tapir is in danger of extinction and in
1996 it was officially classified as Vulnerable. But it is rediscovered by
research team in Honduras rainforest. There are two main contributing factors
in the decline of species: poaching and habitat loss.
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| Eyelash Viper (Image: CNN) |
Eyelash Viper is a venomous pit viper species which uses its
tongue to smell its surroundings found in Central and South America. Eyelash
Vipers have not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List and were removed from Cites
Appendix 2002. While not listed as threatened, they could be at risk of habitat
loss from increased deforestation for timber, agriculture and urbanization.
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| Red Eyed Tree Frog (Image:CNN) |
The species of red eyed tree frog is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to
its wide distribution and presumed large populations.
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| Worm Salamander (Image: CNN) |
On the scientific expedition, team members spotted a species
of worm salamander. Its high on the list of conservation priorities as its very
vulnerable.
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| Male Harqueline Beetle (Image :CNN) |
Larsen
says to CNN that “he particularly enjoys admiring insects and beetles, I am
fascinated with the smaller creatures that represent so much of the
biodiversity around us”.
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| Morpho Butterfly (Image: CNN) |
The
research team took this picture of Morpho Butterfly which is considered on of
the largest butterflies in the world. It have wings of Five to eight inches in length.
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