Natuur

The mountains and forests of south-eastern Suriname are often shrouded in clouds, and are among the wettest areas of the country. They provide an important source of freshwater that flows downstream where it sustains more than 50,000 people. These remote forests are in pristine condition Trond Larsen/Conservation International

This catfish species (Parotocinclus sp.) was collected in a tributary of the Upper Palumeu River. It has an unusual pigmentation pattern, similar to Microglanis catfish Conservation International

A head and tail-light tetra (Hemigrammus aff. ocellifer), closely related to a fish much appreciated by aquarium enthusiasts. This is just one of 11 new fish species discovered on the expedition, including a South American darter and a three-barbeled catfish. Fish were diverse and plentiful at the study sites, including many large fishes that were…

A waterfall near the base of Kasikasima Mountain. The riparian zone along the region’s numerous streams and rivers provides important habitat for an enormous diversity of terrestrial and aquatic species © Trond Larsen/Conservation International

A tiny ‘lilliputian beetle’ (Canthidium cf. minimum) is possibly even a new genus. At just 2.3mm long, it may be the smallest dung beetle in the Guiana Shield, and perhaps the second smallest of currently described species in South America. Its antler-like antennae provide an acute sense of smell. Dung beetles play critical ecological roles…

The cocoa frog (Hypsiboas sp.), named after its chocolate colour, is a new species. It is arboreal, and uses circular discs on fingers and toes to climb trees Bron: Stuart V Nielsen/Conservation International