Vampire fish to lipstick geckos among new species found around Mekong River

Vampire fish to lipstick geckos among new species found around Mekong River
A red-lipped gecko, a fish with "vampire" fangs and a seven metre high carnivorous plant are among 145 new species discovered around the Mekong River in South-East Asia.

Vampire fish to lipstick geckos among new species found around Mekong River
The 'sucker' fish (Oreoglanis) which uses its body to stick to rocks in fast flowing waters

The catalogue of unusual new creatures and plants was outlined in a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report which called for action to protect the biodiversity of the region.

The report revealed that an average of three new species were discovered by scientists in the region every week throughout 2009.

One recent find was the Dracula Minnow, a fish bestowed with bulging eyes and two sharp fangs which grows to just 0.6 inches in length, according to the report New Blood: Greater Mekong New Species Discoveries 2009.

Another new discovery was the tiny "lipstick gecko" which has bright red lips.

A "sucker" fish which uses its body to stick to rocks in fast flowing waters to move upstream was also identified for the first time by scientists.

Other creations discovered last year included a fangless snake, a frog that chirps like a cricket and a tall insect-trapping pitcher plant that grows to over 23 feet.

"The rate of discovery in the Mekong is almost without equal globally," said Stuart Chapman, the regional conservation director of WWF.

"That's attributed to the enormous geographical and climatic range within the region, going from high altitude to dense tropical forests through to some of the richest freshwater in the world.

"Undoubtedly this region is one of the richest in terms of its biodiversity, but it's also one of the most threatened."

The study was released as government representatives from around the world prepared to gather in Japan for next week's United Nations convention on biodiversity.

The meeting aims to establish new global targets to halt a growing decline in biodiversity, with the loss of wildlife around the world currently estimated to be 1,000 faster than the natural rate.

The Greater Mekong region – which covers Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and the southern Chinese province of Yunnan – is home to some of the planet's most endangered species, from tigers and Asian elephants to the Mekong dolphin and giant cuttlefish.

Scientists are increasingly calling for its wide-ranging biodiversity to be protected, as it is home to an ever-growing number of previously unidentified animals and plants.