Humanity still has a truly unique corner of the earth, located on a continent called South America. Although concern for the future exclusivity of the enclave is caused by the very a natural phenomenon, which formed a special flora and fauna, and human activity, making its own adjustments to the environment.

Animals and plants of South America are constantly in a struggle for survival, adapting to an ambiguous climate. The continent is under continuous influence of tropical rainfall, high mountains, savannas, subequatorial forests, sharp changes in altitude and human progress. It is quite possible that all this diversity of climatic zones in the southern part of the New World predetermined the uniqueness of the natural world, which must be preserved and enhanced.

Interference with human nature


However, a revealing example is a recent example of human intervention in the natural world, which did not ignore even an inhospitable place remote from civilization in the Atacama Desert (northern Chile), where the largest ground-based observatory arose. Any traveler, finding himself within sight of this oasis of human progress, can confuse reality with fiction, since such a fantastic landscape no longer exists on earth.

South America - a territory of contradictions

The territory of the controversial continent, which ranks fourth in area in globe, literally crammed with contrasting natural areas. After all, the hot steppe of Pampa stretches through the countries of Uruguay and Argentina, where the livestock farming system is based. But on the island of Tierra del Fuego, which is under the partial jurisdiction of Chile and Argentina, cold weather with constant stormy winds from the Atlantic prevails. It is a completely different matter in the west, where there are fertile valleys with a cool climate that arose in the Andes mountain system. The picture of contrast is added by the presence on the continent of the hottest place on Earth (the Atacama Desert) and at the same time the functioning of one of the deepest river basins in the world (the Amazon) with impenetrable jungle.

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Fauna of South America

A reasonable question arises: “What animals in South America could have appeared and survived, given such natural environment a habitat?". First of all, the animals of the humid forest tropics and rare forests, savannas and, of course, the inhabitants of the real mountain kingdom of the Andes are as inimitable and diverse as the nature of the southern part of America itself.

It makes no sense to consider the animal world of the southern half of the American continent separately from the longest – about 9000 km – mountains of the Earth. The Andes have widely spread their presence in various climatic zones in South America, covering six belts. The vertical division of the mountain range identified three zones (Terra Elada, Terra Fria and Terra Calente), which are strictly delimited, regardless of climate. The unique nature of the Andes allowed humanity to acquire new crops and plant species. Potato tubers, tomatoes, tobacco leaves, and cinchona have become valuable and irreplaceable representatives of the flora of the entire Earth.

Animals living in South America, for the most part, came from the Andes itself or the surrounding mountain range. Here you can find a large number (up to 600) species of mammals and even more (900) species of amphibians. The nature of the Andes painted many insects with bright colors, especially highlighting the population of butterflies, and among the ants it tried to create unique examples of large individuals. Bird colonies in the Andes number 1,700 species and deserve special attention. In the dense thickets of plants, a constant, numerous noise of birds can be heard. Particularly prominent in the Andes are motley parrots and tiny hummingbirds.

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The condor is the animal symbol of South America.


But the main animal of South America, belonging to the bird kingdom, is the condor, which does not take an honorable place in the International Red Book. Thanks mainly to humans, the condor became an endangered species, as it was considered dangerous predator, and its habitats have been reduced to two relatively small areas of the Andes. He was nevertheless awarded the honorable attention of a person, becoming a national symbol of several countries of South America - Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and the Colombian authorities depicted a condor on the national emblem of the country. IN Lately Programs began to emerge to protect the true cultural heritage of many Andean peoples.

Perhaps nowhere in the world can you find such a variety of flora and fauna as in South America. Nature, which in many regions of the continent has been preserved in its original form, is still of great interest to researchers and scientists around the world. First of all, the focus is on the plants of South America, among which there are many endemics.

Wet forests

The flora of South America is presented in all its amazing diversity in the humid or rain equatorial forests or selva. This forest occupies an impressive territory of the Amazonian lowland.

TO distinctive features selva include:

  • Wealth species composition . It has been established that 2/3 of the world's flora grows in the jungle. For 10 sq. km of forest thickets there are more than 1,500 different species of flowering plants and 750 species of trees.
  • High density of vegetation cover . The Selva is so densely populated with a wide variety of vegetation that it is almost impossible to move around it. Lianas make it especially difficult to move forward.

Rice. 1. Equatorial forests South America

The South American jungle is not only very dense, but also high. In areas that are not flooded by rivers during floods, there are up to 5 tiers of various plants. The tallest among them are representatives of the upper tier - giant trees up to 80-100 m high.

In the jungle you can find a lot of endemics - representatives of the flora that grow only in a specific region. One of prominent representatives is a small psychotria tree, the flowers of which look very much like bright red rough trees, as if folded for a kiss. His extraordinary bright view they attract the main pollinators - butterflies and tiny hummingbirds. Unfortunately, psychotria is on the list of plants that are in danger of complete extinction. The reason for this is the uncontrolled cutting down of valuable forests.

Rice. 2. Psychotria

Savannahs and pampas

To the south of the jungle there are savannas, dominated by thickets of shrubs, tall grasses and tough grasses.

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South American savannas are home to unusual tree Querbajo, which is famous for its incredibly heavy and dense wood, rich in the valuable substance tannin. Querbacho is used to obtain tannin, as well as a valuable medicinal plant and raw material for the manufacture of durable furniture.

Rice. 3. Querbacho tree

Behind the savannas are the South American steppes - the pampas. These areas are dominated by different kinds herbs, shrubs and low trees. The local soil is highly fertile and large areas The pampas are reserved for agriculture.

Deserts

In the south of the continent there is a zone of deserts and semi-deserts. Severe climatic conditions are an obstacle to lush and varied vegetation. Only a few types of grasses and cereals can grow in South American deserts.

Plants that can tolerate prolonged drought and continuous weathering of the soil - Atagona fabiana, chukuraga, resinous chanyar.

The diversity of plants in North and South America is amazing. The two Americas have almost all the climate zones existing on earth. The geological connection between North America and South America has always been unstable, therefore each continent, in addition to common plant species, has its own diverse composition.

For those who have forgotten, I will remind you on this page www.site. In North America there are such large countries, like Canada and the USA, and in the South - Argentina and Brazil.

If Russia “stretched” along and above the equator, then both Americas are located perpendicular to it from one pole to the other. So it turns out that more than half of North America is in temperate or cold zones. Therefore, it has a lot in common with Eurasia. She interacted with her for a long time in ancient times. Hot belt covers most of South America. The geographical location and climate of the Americas are different, and therefore the flora is different.

North America on large territory has forests (this temperate zone) and tundra. South America covers: savannas with equatorial vast forest areas. North America has its own diversity of flora. This explains the difference.

Plants of North America

The flora of North America has about 30 thousand species. Many of the native plants grow huge (cacti and others) and very quickly. Here, to refresh your memory, are some original types of natural creatures: magnolia with thuja, sequoia with hickory, tulip tree.

In the north there are many small shrubs with berries, nearby cereals, dwarf birches with willows, and sedges. Lichen is common in the tundra. To the south, the tundra becomes forest-tundra. Start to grow deciduous trees, ate occasionally. Next is the taiga. Coniferous forests occupy a large area.

The taiga of America is more diverse in flora than Asian or European ones. Giants grow next to the spruce trees that are common to Europeans, with pines or firs and various deciduous trees. They are from 80 to 100m in height. For example, such as Sitka spruce or Douglas fir.

U Pacific Ocean(between Australia, the USA and Russia) on the coast itself the vegetation is especially diverse.

Near the Great Lakes there is a mixture of broadleaf and coniferous trees. It's on the border between Canada and the USA. There are a lot of oaks and lindens, thujas and beeches, with elms. They grow well on soddy-podzolic or brown soils in the forest.

If you move to the West, the forests are more small-leaved and coniferous. There are chestnut and beech trees, oak and plane trees - they belong to the broad-leaved Alpaca species. They live on brown forest soils. As you move south, more and more tulip trees and magnolias appear. On the Pacific coast, trees that are characteristic of subtropical climate, these are: the mammoth tree and the famous sequoia.

The prairies of America, where steppes meet forest-steppes, are poorly preserved. People plowed these areas for agricultural crops. From the East towards the West there are forest regions, then forest-steppe and steppe.

Previously, there were many tall and lush grasses on the chernozem-like soils. Bison walked here in herds. West of the prairies it starts to get pretty dry. steppe regions(chestnut soils). There, villagers cultivate the land and raise livestock. Subtropical areas gradually change from the eastern side towards the western side.

U Gulf of Mexico mixed species grow on the vast coastline evergreen forests. The main red earth and yellow earth soils. Previously, the explorer moved further across the territory, the forests were replaced by beautiful prairies. The soils there are red-chestnut or red-black. Today there is plantation after plantation on that site. If we take it as a trap, there are dry steppes.

Along the Mexican Highlands, in the Cordillera region or along the Colorado Plateau there are semi-deserts and deserts. There is a lot of quinoa or black wormwood here. This is characteristic of the deserts of the subtropical region. Similar deserts of the famous Mexican highlands have many cacti, tree-like yuccas and agaves.

The subtropical zone to the West has a region where rigid-leaved Mediterranean bushes grow in the same forests. There are many of the usual pine and oak trees there. On plateaus located high in tropical zone There are many savannas in Central America. There are practically no natural plants preserved here; there are many plantations with tropical crops.

Some rare plants North America

Pachycormus variegated, Tansy Huron, Vancouveria aureus, Ginseng five-leafed, Astrophytum capacoris, Ariocarpus scapharostrus, Echinocereus Reichebach, Echinocactus Gruzon, Obregonia de Negri, Pediocactus Nolton, Ferocactus bluish, Ferocactus spiny, Sclerocactus twisted, Pediocactus Vin clera, Peleciphora pseudocombinatum, Peleciphora moist, Hudsonia montana, Cypress large-fruited, Telocactus bicolor yellowish-acicular, sclerocactus multihooked, Fritillary lily-flowered, Tigridia chiapena, Venus flytrap, Fothergilla gardena, Lewisia cotyledon, Claytonia lanceolata, Darlingtonia californica, Sarracenia yellow, Franklinia alatamaha, Dioon e nice

Plants of South America

The flora of South America is very diverse. This continent is the homeland of: potatoes with Chilean araucaria, rubber tree. Now our usual homemade mallow or monstera comes from these places.

Many of the species are threatened with complete extinction. Forests are being cut down. This industrial scale. In their place, roads with mines are being built, and areas are being cleared for agricultural planting. This is how they are destroyed medicinal plants. Even those that have recently been discovered by scientists as healing ones. They haven’t yet had time to make medicine out of them, and they are already on the verge of destruction...

IN eastern region The flora of South America is older than that of the Andes. There's a formation flora it went gradually. Arose mountain system. Plants spread from the east, many from the south (Antarctic zone), and from the north (Cordillera). The species differences between the Off-Andean East and the Andean flora are significant.

The continent of South America has given valuable plants not only to the local population, but also to the whole world. One of them is potatoes. It continues to be cultivated in the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes and Chile. The famous and beloved tomatoes, pumpkins and beans began to be grown in the Andes. Researchers don't know exactly where wild corn comes from, but they suspect it's from the Neotropical region.

South America has a large area of ​​tropical forests. There are many types of plants there. Wood ones, if described in detail, take up several dozen pages. Most bobos are colored, decorating the tropics. Caesalpiniaceae bloom spectacularly. Mimosa is one of the highest (up to 60 m). In the tropics there are a lot of euphorbias, muscataceae, lecithins, laurel and kutraceae.

South America is rich in Hevea - it is a well-known carrier of rubber. Here are the birthplaces of cinchona and chocolate, cassava, and other plants living in the tropical expanses of the earth. There are many plants here that are eaten, used as feed for farm animals, and for technical needs. From the extracts of which medicines are made.

The Brazilian Hevea (spurge family) is very useful for the inhabitants of the planet. Rubber is obtained from it. It has a thick trunk - more than 1 m wide and up to 30 m high. There are a variety of exotic plants in Brazil. Rubber is obtained from kutaceae in a similar way. This is a valuable raw material for the production of popular chewing gum. Large-leaved Switenia has wood. It is very similar in properties to mahogany.

The Amazon tropics are a riot of colors and big variety plants. There are especially many types of vines. Curare is a well-known poison that the Indians know how to extract; it is made from one type of vine. They lubricate arrowheads with it and even a wounded animal dies. Palm trees are typical for areas where there is a lot of water. The indigenous people eat their fruits.

The cocoa or chocolate tree can be up to 10 m high. Many of them grow in the lower reaches of the Amazon. Directly adjacent to the tropics are vast areas covered with meadows. tall plants. Most are cereals. When there is high water, some areas with plants float like islands. Many species of plants grow luxuriantly in swamps and water.

The tropics are rich in Kirkazon. This is a vine that blooms beautifully. Landscape designers adore these large flowers and recommend them to clients for landscaping. Kirkazon decorates gardens, greenhouses, and private parks. The flora of South America is beautiful and diverse.

Some rare plants of South America

Gicaranda, Psychotria, Balsa, Ghost Orchid, Thule tree, Pirangi cashew tree, chocolate cosmos.

The flora of North and South America is somewhat similar, but those regions are characterized by different cultures. In the tropics, swampy areas, only plants are common, for steppes, forest-steppes, mixed deciduous with coniferous forests- others are typical.

Man, getting his own food, cultivating the land for agricultural crops, destroyed the plants that grew in those territories from time immemorial. But we need to use the earth's reserves wisely, because everything can be destroyed.

No less rich than the vegetation cover is characterized by animal world. The modern fauna, like the flora of the mainland, was formed starting from the end Cretaceous period, and from the middle of the Tertiary period, South America was isolated from other continents. This is related to the antiquity of the fauna and the presence in its composition large number endemic forms. Along with this, many of the most ancient representatives of the animal world of South America or species close to them are found on other continents, which indicates the existence of long-standing land connections between the continents.

An example is marsupials, preserved only in and.

There are no great apes in the fauna of South America. This circumstance, along with the lack of finds of remains primitive man gave scientists grounds to assert that South America, like North America, was not the center of formation human race and that the person in South America is a stranger. All monkeys of South America belong to the broad-nosed group and are limited in their distribution to forest areas.

A feature of the fauna of South America is also the presence in its composition of three endemic families of edentates, united in one order.

A large number of endemic species, genera and even families are found among carnivores, ungulates and South America.

All American (broad-nosed) monkeys, divided into two families - marmosets and capuchins, are associated with tropical South America.

Marmoset monkeys are small in size. The smallest of them, the wistiti (Hapale jacchus), reach a length of no more than 15-16 cm, their limbs are equipped with claws that help them stay on tree trunks.

Many capuchin monkeys are characterized by a strong tail, which they use to cling to tree branches and which plays the role of a fifth limb for them.

Among the capuchins, a subfamily of howler monkeys stands out, which received their name for their ability to produce screams that can be heard for many kilometers. Spider monkeys with long flexible limbs are widespread.

Among the representatives of the edentate family, sloths (Choloepus) live in tropical forests. They are little mobile and spend most of their time hanging on trees, feeding on leaves and shoots. Sloths climb trees confidently, but rarely fall to the ground.

Some anteaters are also adapted to life in trees. For example, tamandua trees freely climb; The small anteater, which has a prehensile tail, also spends most of its time in trees.

The large anteater is common in forests and savannas and leads a terrestrial lifestyle.

Predators tropical forests The cat family includes ocelots, small jaguarundi and large and strong jaguars, which sometimes even attack humans.

Of the predators belonging to the canine family, the little-studied or bush dog that lives in the tropical forests and Guiana is interesting. Forest animals that hunt in trees include nasua (Nasua) and kinkajou (Potos flavus).

Ungulates, which are not numerous in South America, have only a few representatives in the forests. Among them are the tapir (Tapirus terrestris), a small black peccary pig, and small South American horned deer.

Typical representatives of rodents in lowland forests and other areas of South America are the arboreal prehensile-tailed porcupines Coendu, which climb trees well. Great harm plantations of tropical crops are brought by agouti (Dasyprocta aguouti), found in the forests of the Guianas. Almost throughout the entire territory of the mainland, and especially in the Amazonian forests, the capybara, or capybara (Hydrochoerus capibara) is widespread - the largest of the rodents, with a body up to 120 cm long.

In the forests of Southern and Central America There are several species of marsupial rats, or opossums. Some of them are equipped with a prehensile tail and are good at climbing trees.

The Amazon forests are teeming with bats, including species that feed on the blood of warm-blooded mammals.

Reptiles and amphibians are very richly represented in the forests. Among the reptiles, the most prominent are the water boa - anaconda (Eunectes murinos) and the land boa - boa constrictor ( Constrictor constrictor). Lots of poisonous snakes and lizards. There are crocodiles in the waters. Of the amphibians there are many frogs, some of them lead wood image life.

There are many in the forests various birds, especially brightly colored parrots. The most typical are the largest of the parrots - the macaw. In addition, small parakeets and beautiful brightly feathered green parrots are widespread.

The most characteristic representatives of the avifauna of South America and, in particular, tropical forests are hummingbirds. These small motley-colored birds that feed on the nectar of flowers are called insect birds.

Also found in the forests are hoatzins, the chicks of which have claws on their wings that help them climb trees, sun herons and shuttle-billed herons, harpies - huge birds of prey that hunt young deer, monkeys and sloths.

One of the features of the mainland's tropical forests is the abundance of insects, most of which are endemic. Day and night butterflies, various beetles, and ants abound there. Many of the butterflies and beetles are beautifully colored. Some beetles glow so brightly at night that you can read a book next to them. Butterflies are huge. The largest of them, Agrippa, reaches a wingspan of almost 30 cm.

fauna of drier and open spaces South America - tropical woodlands, subtropical - other than dense forests. Among the predators, in addition to the jaguar, the most common are the puma (found throughout almost all of South America and enters), ocelot, and pampa cat. Of the canine predators typical for the southern part of the continent maned wolf. and in the mountainous regions of almost the entire continent the Pampa fox is found, in the extreme south - the Magellanic fox.

Among the ungulates, the small Pampas deer is common.

In savannas, forests and arable lands there are representatives of the third family of partially edentates - armadillos (Dasypodidae) - animals equipped with a durable bony shell and with the ability to burrow into the ground when danger approaches. Local residents hunt them because they consider their meat tasty.

Among the rodents found in savannas and steppes are the viscacha and the tuco-tuco, which lives in the ground. The swamp beaver, or nutria, is widespread along the banks, whose fur is highly valued on the world market.

Among the birds, in addition to numerous parrots and hummingbirds, there are South American rhea ostriches (Rhea), and some large birds of prey.

Snakes and especially lizards abound in savannas and steppes.

A characteristic feature of the savannas of South America, as well as Africa, are numerous termite structures. Many areas of South America are affected by locusts.

The mountain fauna has unique features. It includes a number of endemic animals not found in the eastern part of the mainland. Throughout mountainous region South American representatives of the camelid family - llamas - are common in the Andes. There are two known species of wild llamas - vigon (Lama vicugna) and guanaco (L. huanachus). In the past, they were hunted by Indians, who exterminated them for their meat and wool. Guanaco was found not only in the mountains, but also on the plateau and in Pampa. Nowadays, wild llamas are rare. In addition, the Indians in the Andes breed two domestic species of animals of this genus - the llama itself and the alpaca. Llamas (Lama glama) are large and strong animals. They carry heavy loads along difficult mountain roads, their milk and meat are used for food, and coarse fabrics are made from wool. Alpaca (Lama pacos) is bred only for its soft wool.

Spectacled bears and some marsupials are also found in the Andes. The small endemic rodent chinchilla (Chinchilla) used to be widespread. Their soft, silky gray fur was considered one of the best and most expensive furs. Because of this, the chinchilla is now completely exterminated.

Birds in the Andes are usually represented by endemic, mountain species of the same genera and families that are common in the east of the continent. Of the birds of prey, the condor (Vultur gryphus) is remarkable - the largest representative of this order.

Scientists had great success when they went in search of rare and new species of animals and plants in Suriname, a country on the northeastern coast of South America. The trip resulted in the description of 1,378 species in the highlands of Suriname, including 60 species that are new.

Let's get to know some of them.

Ants are important scavengers in nature, and in this photo they (Camponotus Sp.) are eating dead insects. This is just one of 149 species of ants found during the expedition. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):


granite mountain

This is a unique granite mountain rising 700 meters above the tropical forests. From here it is good to observe the surroundings. Scientists have discovered several unusual species animals, including some species of water beetles that were new to science. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Big blue bugs

Coprophanaeus lancifer are the largest of all dung beetles in South America. Both males and females have long horns on their heads, which they use when fighting with others of the same sex. The huge difference in size is primarily determined by how much food was available to the developing larvae. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

tree frog

The tree frog (Hypsiboas Sp.), like other amphibians, has semi-permeable skin, which makes it very sensitive to changes in the environment (climate, water availability). (Photo by Piotr Naskrecki | Conservation International):

Where was science done?

River Palumeu in Suriname. At this point it is wide and seething, but the base camp scientific group was much further upstream, where the Palumeu River was so narrow that scientists could cross it on a fallen tree:

sensitive flower

This orchid (Phragmipedium lindleyanum) is one of several rare and beautiful views orchids discovered on the top of a previously unexplored mountain called Grensgebergte. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Lilliputian bug

The tiny midget beetle (Canthidium cf. minimum) is probably the new kind for science, perhaps even a new genus. With a length of only 2.3 mm, it is the second smallest of all described beetle species in South America. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Carnivorous grasshopper

Although most grasshoppers are herbivores and feed on leaves, this species (Copiphora longicauda) uses its powerful, sharp jaws to hunt insects and other invertebrates. (Photo by Piotr Naskrecki | Conservation International):

The night Watch

Because many mammals are so elusive and difficult to see in the forest, scientists use automated camera traps. The camera detects the animal using an infrared sensor and releases the shutter. Out of 24 large species of the mammals encountered on the expedition, many were discovered using such camera traps. And this is a long-tailed cat (Leopardus wiedii). (Photo by Conservation International):

Suriname is not at all a paradise for all living creatures. This photo, taken during one of the scientists' night walks, shows a wolf spider dining on a frog. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Numerous streams, rivulets and waterfalls in the region are important environment habitat for a large number of terrestrial and aquatic species. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

I can see you

Beautiful tree frog(Hypsiboas geographicus). She is one of 46 species of frogs found during the scientific expedition, including six species of frogs that may be new to science. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

colorful frog

This poison dart frog Anomaloglossus Sp. releases powerful toxins. Her poison is used local residents while hunting. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Don't mess with this grasshopper

This grasshopper species (Pseudophyllinae: Teleutiini) is so strange that it actually represents a completely new genus in science. It is unusually long, lanky, and has legs covered in sharp spines that help deter predators. (Photo by Piotr Naskrecki | Conservation International):

Multicolored snake

Bright colors a la the coral snake give Erythrolamprus aesculpi protection from predators, although this snake lacks deadly poison, which real coral snakes have. This is one of 19 snakes found during the expedition. (Photo by Piotr Naskrecki | Conservation International):

I like to eat…fruits

Yes, this bat (Artibeus planirostris) eats fruit, and sharp teeth help to grasp large fruits. (Photo by Burton Lim | Conservation International):

This opossum (Marmosops parvidens) belongs to tree species and feeds on insects and fruits. One of 39 species small mammals(rats, bats, possums) discovered in the virgin forests of Suriname during the expedition. (Photo by Piotr Naskrecki | Conservation International):

In the arms of a tree

The amaranth tree (Peltogyne venosa) has massive roots that provide it with support, especially during extreme storms and floods. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

The mountains and vast untouched forests of southeastern Suriname are often shrouded in clouds. This is one of the wettest areas of the country. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Frog debut

This tree frog is one of six new frog species discovered by scientists in Suriname. (Photo by Stuart V Nielsen | Conservation International):

Water, water all around

A scientific camp flooded due to rain in southeastern Suriname. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Are you looking at me?

Neusticurus bicarinatus. This lizard is an excellent underwater swimmer. (Photo by Stuart V Nielsen | Conservation International):

Smart disguise

Many delphacid species are isolated from abdominal cavity wax, sometimes it forms long threads, as seen in this photo. Such clever camouflage can deceive a predator into attacking the wrong part of the insect. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Shed light on new species

This is one (Hemigrammus AFF. Ocellifer) of 11 new fish species discovered during the expedition. (Photo by Trond Larsen | Conservation International):

Long-tailed cat

Long-tailed cat (Leopardus wiedii). It looks like a smaller specimen of its related ocelot. (Photo by Brian O'Shea | Conservation International):