A Dragon Millipede

The conservation group WWF has reported that a bright pink millipede and a striped rabbit are among more than a thousand new species which have been discovered along the banks of the Mekong River in south east Asia within the last ten years. This report from Rob Norris:

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The Conservation Science Advisor to WWF, Mark Wright, says that between 1997 and 2007, scientists found an average of two previously undiscovered species every week:

Mark Wright:
"Probably my favourite is the Dragon Millipede - it's only three centimetres long - absolutely lurid pink, and it produces cyanide to try to deter predators. I mean this is a real creature with attitude here. And then there are a few other things which I think show the way science works - one, the beautifully named Laotian Rock Rat, was discovered in a local food market, so the people who live there were very aware of this creature, but science came to it very late."

They remained unknown in the outside world for so long because political conflicts in the region kept scientists away until the 1990s.

WWF is warning that the main challenge facing the area is how to allow economic development while still maintaining environmental protection.

Rob Norris, BBC

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conservationists
people who work to protect the environment

largely unexplored
most of the area has not been visited by scientists

a biological treasure trove
a place where there are many fantastic animals and plants which haven't been seen by scientists before

lurid pink
a very bright, strong pink colour

cyanide
a very poisonous substance

to deter predators
to protect itself from animals that might want to eat it

with attitude
with an aggressive personality

conflicts
wars and disagreements

maintaining environmental protection
keeping the plants and animals safe

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