The delicate slender opossum (Marmosops parvidens) is an arboreal species which eats insects and fruit. This species is indicative of pristine, primary forests, and is one of the 39 species of small mammals (rats, bats, opossums) discovered on the expedition. Many small mammal species are important for dispersing seeds and ensuring forest regeneration Piotr Naskrecki/Conservation…
Suriname
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Bauxiet in Suriname. Samenwerking tussen Boskalis en Suralco (Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
While most katydids are herbivorous and feed on leaves, this species (Copiphora longicauda) uses its powerful, sharp mandibles to prey upon insects and other invertebrates. It is a member of the aptly named group of conehead katydids Piotr Naskrecki/Conservation International
Scientists on night walk saw this extremely rare event where a large wolf spider was eating a poison-dart frog (Amereega trivitatta) Trond Larsen/Conservation International
Many planthopper species exude waxy secretions from the abdomen, and these sometimes form long strands, such as can be seen here. The long waxy strands may provide protection from predators – fooling them into attacking the wrong part of the insect. The wax breaks off while the insect jumps to safety. The juvenile planthopper in…
Ants are important scavengers, and can be seen here (Camponotus sp.) eating a dead insect. This represents just one of the 149 ant species observed on the expedition, with many more still to be found Trond Larsen/Conservation International
Coprophanaeus lancifer is the largest of all South American dung beetles. Despite its name, this species feeds more frequently on carrion (dead animals) than on dung. A highly unusual case in the animal kingdom, both males and females of this species possess a long horn on their head, which they use during intense battles with…
The purpleheart tree (Peltogyne venosa) forms massive buttress roots which provide support, especially during extreme storms and flooding events. Purpleheart trees contain the most dense, heartwood of any tree species in the world, and its presence indicates an absence of logging in the area. Trond Larsen, director of the Rapid Assessment Programme, stands in the…
A tree frog (Hypsiboas geographicus) clings to a branch in the lowland forest near Kasikasima. It represents one of the astounding 46 frog species found during the expedition, including six new frog species Trond Larsen/Conservation International
The bright colours of the false coral snake (Erythrolamprus aesculpi) lend it protection from predators, even though it lacks the deadly venom of the true coral snake. This is one of the 19 snake species encountered on the expedition, which included a true coral snake, a deadly fer-de-lance viper, and a species (Pseudoboa sp.) potentially…