34 new species discovered in Wuyishan National Park

A three-year biological survey in Wuyishan National Park, a UNESCO natural and cultural heritage site in southeastern China, has yielded the discovery of 34 new species, including plants, insects and fungi, experts said.

The park, located in the subtropical region spanning Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, provides a diverse range of environments suitable for wildlife and plants.

The baseline survey, launched in April 2021, covered more than 100,000 hectares of the park's Fujian section. In addition to the 34 new species, 10 species were newly recorded in China.

The survey focused on various ecosystems and biological groups, including higher plants, terrestrial vertebrates, amphibians, aquatic organisms, insects and microorganisms, said Cai Bin, an engineer from the park's scientific research and monitoring center.

More than 100 experts and scholars from over 20 universities and research institutes participated.

One of the key discoveries was the Wuyi forest frog. Wu Yanqing, a deputy researcher from the College of Life and Environmental Science at Wenzhou University in Zhejiang province, found the new amphibian.

"The identification of this new vertebrate species was unexpected, as many domestic and international experts had previously visited the area for specimen collection in the last century, leading to the publication of many model animals," Wu said.

After noticing subtle differences in the frog's appearance compared to other forest frogs, Wu's discovery was confirmed through DNA molecular identification in the lab.

"Due to the high altitudes and geographical isolation, amphibious reptiles evolve more rapidly during the process of species differentiation," Wu explained. "Advancements in scientific research and monitoring have also played a crucial role in this discovery."

Among the 34 new species, 14 are types of flies. Li Meilin, a doctoral candidate from the College of Plant Protection at China Agricultural University in Beijing, discovered nine new species of Empididae, also known as dance flies.

"Dance flies are named for their unique light and agile flight patterns, which resemble dancing," Li said.

"These flies are harmless to humans and do not spread diseases," the doctoral student added. "They feed on pests and pollinate flowers."

Li emphasized that dance flies require specific environmental conditions to survive and reproduce, including adequate soil, plant coverage, water and biodiversity.

"Wuyishan National Park provides an ideal habitat for these sensitive species," Li said.

Wu noted, "The park's well-preserved environment is key to the discovery of new species. Some species may have existed for millions of years but went extinct before we could document them due to environmental pollution or habitat disruption."

The baseline survey deepens the understanding of Wuyishan National Park's wildlife and enhances the park's conservation and management capabilities. The park plans to install an integrated monitoring system to further safeguard its natural resources, Cai said.

Li Shangyi contributed to this story.