During a recent micro investigation within the Borneo Jungle, wildlife researchers uncovered previously unidentified species, such as the ‘ninja’ slug, a lungless frog, and the world’s largest stick insect.
The species were found in areas bordering Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei in a dense rainforest world.
Adam Tomasek, head of the World Wildlife Fund’s Borneo Initiative, said the discoveries reveal the vast wealth of the island’s ecosystem, with recent efforts uncovering at least three new species a month. He adds the finds could lead to significant advancements in the cure for cancer and aids.
One such discovery, known as the long tailed ‘ninja’ slug, reinforces the splendour and diversity the earth has to offer. The slug purportedly fires ‘love darts’ made of calcium carbonate, that pierce and inject into a mate a hormone that increases its chance of catching the eye, and/or sexual reproduction.
If fallen into the hands of the smarmy bachelor, however, this slug drug could potentially revolutionise the human courtship ritual.
Other, more innocuous discoveries, include a seven-centimetre flat-headed frog, known as Barbourula kalimantanensis, which breaths entirely through its skin instead of lungs.
Around the same time, the Phobaeticus chani appeared onto the scientific charts, which is the world’s lengthiest stick insect, stretching to a gargantuan length of 36 centimetres long.
While the Borneo jungle contains some of the oldest undisturbed tracts of rainforest on earth, Mr Tomasek admits it’s impossible for governments to stop logging and mining in the area, saying that a balance between industrialisation and conservation must be sought if we are to protect this extraordinary wonderland for generations to come.
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