Dragon Millipede, Laotian Rock Rat Only Some of Species Found in Mekong

Move over Coelacanth. You aren't the only creature thought to be extinct. The World Wildlife Fund has announced that scientists have discovered over 1,000 species in Southeast Asia's Greater Mekong region in the past decade. Many of these species were thought to be extinct.

A majority of the creatures were found in rainforests and wetlands along the Mekong River, which goes through Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the southern Chinese province of Yunnan. According to the World Wildlife Fund report, "First Contact in the Greater Mekong", during 1997 and 2007 at least 1,068 creatures "have been officially described by science as being newly discovered species."

"We thought discoveries of this scale were confined to the history books," said Stuart Chapman, director of WWF's Greater Mekong Programme.

Some of the most impressive finds included a rat thought to have become extinct 11 million years ago, a cyanide-laced, hot-pink millipede and the world's largest huntsman spider, with a leg span of 30 centimeters (11.8 inches, "as big as a dinner plate").

The Laotian rock rat was found by scientists in an ironic place -- not in the jungle, but wandering around a local food market. The Laotian rock rat is so called because its only known habitats are limestone outcroppings in Central Laos and because its head and face are very similar to those of a rat.

The rock rat was first found in 2005 and later videotaped by scientists. The rock rat is a squirrel-sized animal covered in dark fur and has a long tail that resembles a cat tail more than a squirrel tail. According to the report, the creature walks "like a duck" and has not adapted to climbing trees. The video can be viewed here.

The shocking pink "dragon" millipede (Desmoxytes purpurosea) is a spiny, hot pink millipede that was found in Thailand and produces the deadly compound cyanide. Scientists believe that the "gaudy coloration" and the habits of the millipede (stays out in the open on the ground and vegetation during the day) most likely indicate to possible predators that it is not edible. The millipede was number three in the top ten species in 2008 by the International Institute for Species Exploration.

According to the report , the new species found include "519 plants, 279 fish, 88 frogs, 88 spiders, 46 lizards, 22 snakes, 15 mammals, four birds, four turtles, two salamanders and a toad." Scientists found an average of two previously undiscovered species a week for the past 10 years. The report stated that though the new discoveries are exciting, many of the creatures are at risk from industrial development. Scientists believe that the best course of action would be a cross-border agreement between the countries in the Greater Mekong area to protect the species and their habitats.

More Than 1,000 Species Discovered in Mekong: WWF, Yahoo News

Laotian Rock Rat Rediscovered After 11 Million Years, Wildlife Extra.com

Shocking Pink Millipede, International Institute For Species Exploration