Scientists discover new insect species in Indonesian caves

SCIENTISTS have discovered new fish and insect species, including a "monster cockroach", living in caves in the remote East Kalimantan province of Indonesia.

The team of international scientists, led by the United States-based organisation the Nature Conservancy, said the area where the new species were discovered was threatened by environmental degradation and called for the government to protect it immediately.

"In just five weeks, the expedition team discovered numerous new species previously unknown to science. Who knows what else is out there?" said Scott Stanley, the conservancy’s programme manager for East Kalimantan. "If something is not done soon to protect these areas, dozens of species could disappear before anyone knew they ever existed."

The team surveyed four cave systems in the Sangkulirang Peninsula of East Kalimantan, which lies on the Indonesian side of Borneo Island, about 750 miles north-west of the capital Jakarta.

"This area appears to have the largest number of endemic species of any ecosystem on Borneo," said Mr Stanley. The group discovered at least five new insect species, including a "monster cockroach", a "micro-crab" and a giant millipede.

The scientists also discovered several fish species, two new snail species and a number of new plants, added Mr Stanley.

Scientists from five countries, including the US and Indonesia, explored the caves from July to September this year.

"The team’s discovery of such a wide variety of plants and animals shows the critical need to protect this area from the growing threats of logging, mining and fire," said Mr Stanley.