New Guinea’s biological diversity

The Delias durai butterfly is among the four Delias butterfly species discovered in between 1998 and 2008 from the Foja Mountains in Papua in Indonesia [Photo: WWF]

The Paryphantopsis misimensis snail is among the 580 new invertebrate species described between 1998 and 2008. Nine new species of snails have been discovered, in the Louisiade Archipelago and the Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua New Guinea [Photo: WWF]

Cadetia Kutubu, a fleshy flower, was among the 300 species of orchids discovered between 1998 and 2006 [Photo: WWF]

The Orcaella heinsohni dolphin was discovered in the waters south of New Guinea in 2005. They are the first new dolphin species recorded for at least 30 years [Photo: WWF]

The Wattled Smoky Honeyeater (Melipotes carolae) was discovered in November 2005 by a Conservation International team. It was found deep in the forests of New Guinea(***)s Foja Mountains [Photo: WWF]

Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus wilsoni)

The highest diversity of tree-dwelling marsupials in the world exists on New Guinea, with an incredible 38 species. One of these species, the Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus wilsoni), was discovered in 2004 [Photo: WWF]

Varanus macraei, found on the island of Batanta and described in 2001, is one of the most spectacular reptile discoveries anywhere. Capable of reaching a metre in length, this beautiful species is black with a mesmerising pattern of turquoise and blue [Photo: WWF]

A large green tree-dwelling frog, Litoria dux, was discovered on the northern side of the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. The frog(***)s name comes from the Latin dux, meaning leader, alluding to its bright coloration and impressive appearance, particularly its red iris [Photo: WWF]

Rainbow fish are small but breathtaking in colour, varying from a single vivid colour to a spectrum. Between 1998 and 2008, no fewer than seven new species of rainbow fish have been identified in Papua New Guinea and Papua in Indonesia [Photo: WWF]