PHNOM PENH, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Three new millipede species for the world have been found in the karst landscapes of Battambang and Kampot provinces in Cambodia, a conservationist group said on Saturday.
In a joint press release from the Ministry of Environment and Fauna & Flora, the new species are Orthomorpha efefai and Orthomorpha battambangiensis discovered in Battambang in 2024, and Orthomorpha tergoaurantia found in Kampot.
"These discoveries bring the total number of Orthomorpha species documented in Cambodia from three to six," the press release said.
The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys, mark a major milestone in the study of Cambodia and Southeast Asian biodiversity, it added.
"The discovery of this new species highlights the importance of protecting Cambodia's karst landscapes, which serve as vital habitats for biodiversity and may provide experts with opportunities to discover more species new to science," the press release said.
However, these landscapes are increasingly threatened by mining, agricultural expansion, and unsustainable development, it said.
"Protecting these areas is essential not only for biodiversity conservation but also for preserving critical ecosystems and cultural heritage," the press release said. ■
