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New species found in S China rainforest

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-25 13:02

HAIKOU -- A scientific exploration has found some new biological species in a rainforest of Yinggeling Nature Reserve in China's southernmost Hainan Province.

A morning scene in the karst tropical rainforest in south China's Hainan Province on March 25, 2007. A scientific exploration has found some new biological species in a rainforest of Yinggeling Nature Reserve in China's southernmost Hainan Province. [china.org.cn]

The one-week exploration in mid-January discovered a new insect called Dolichothyreus stigmatus, rare tree Trigonobalanus verticillata and the Wax Plant, previously known only from peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.

The exploration team was composed of experts from the Hainan Yinggeling Nature Reserve, Hong Kong Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden and South China Agricultural University.

"Biodiversity is extremely high in Yinggeling's tropical rainforest and it is a vital wildlife refuge. We basically made new discoveries in every scientific exploration in this forest, which is on a par with other biodiversity hot spots worldwide," said Dr. Bosco Chan, zoologist from the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.

Yinggeling mountain range is located in the center of the island province and covers 500 square kilometers. Thanks to its remoteness and inaccessibility, it has avoided human disturbances and has a relatively intact tropical rainforest ecosystem preserving rich fauna and flora resources.

Since 2005, Chinese and foreign scientists have conducted several scientific expeditions in the area, and discovered 14 new species.