University of Guyana Scientists Discover 23 Potential New Species in Guyana's Ancient Forests

Reporting for this article and quotes were provided by The University of Guyana team of Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj, Devya Hemraj Naraine, Don Taphorn, Arianne Harris and The Field Museum Postdoctoral Scientist Sophie Picq.

Key Points

• ✓ A groundbreaking biodiversity survey of the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor has documented over 1,300 species, including 600 plant species and 713 vertebrate species. The survey revealed 22 species never before recorded in Guyana and 23 species potentially new to science.
• ✓ For the first time in Guyana's history, environmental DNA analysis was conducted entirely within the country using the University's new DNA Barcoding Laboratory, enabling rapid species identification and confirmation in the field.
• ✓ The project demonstrated successful collaboration between academic and indigenous expertise, with more than 50 indigenous experts working alongside 25 biologists, three social scientists, and one geologist from thirteen institutions.
• ✓ The discoveries highlight the ecological significance of the 1.3-million-hectare Acarai-Corentyne Corridor, which contains some of the most intact ecosystems in the Guiana Shield.

Scientists from the University of Guyana have announced a series of remarkable discoveries from one of South America's least studied wilderness areas, highlighting the region's extraordinary biodiversity and the growing capabilities of Guyana's scientific community. The findings emerge from an extensive survey of the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor in southern Guyana, marking a significant milestone in the country's scientific research capacity.

The survey, led by the Field Museum in collaboration with the University of Guyana and the Protected Areas Commission, represents an unprecedented partnership between local and international institutions. The research team included members from Conservation International (CI-Guyana), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS-Guyana), South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS), and Kanashen Amerindian Protected Area.

"We knew how unique the ecosystems of Guyana are and that this area was unexplored," explains Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj, Director of the Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity at the University of Guyana. "When we discovered species that were new records for Guyana and science, we were excited but not completely surprised."

Discovering Ancient Ecosystems

The Acarai-Corentyne Corridor spans 1.3 million hectares along Guyana's southern border, forming a crucial part of the ancient Guiana Shield. This geological formation predates the Amazon rainforest, creating unique conditions for species evolution and survival. Within this vast expanse, researchers found some of the most intact and diverse ecosystems remaining in the Guiana Shield, home to thriving populations of species that have become rare elsewhere.

Access to this remarkable region has been historically challenging. "We have been trying to gain access to this area for years but were denied access due to the border dispute and safety issues," Dr. Maharaj explains. "Further, travelling to these areas is very difficult, time-consuming and expensive. The only way to access these sites was by air, then as we got to the rapids and falls along the Corentyne and Essequibo rivers, we used boats."

The survey revealed a remarkable finding: complete food webs both on land and in rivers, indicating extraordinarily healthy ecosystem function. "A complete food web with top predators and prey all abundant and healthy is an indicator that there has been little human impact on the ecosystem," Dr Maharaj and the University of Guyana team explained. "Most other forests in South America have suffered logging and extensive removal of the species we value as food or trophies by hunting and fishing."

Breakthrough Discoveries Through Advanced Technology

The research team's discoveries include several significant findings, most notably a potentially new species of tiger catfish. "We are still working on the ID," says Dr. Maharaj. "This fish is sought-after for its flesh for consumption by the locals. Scientifically, we are unsure of which river basin this fish came from. It could be from the Orinoco or the Amazon, but we are not sure until we compare it to other species from these other drainage systems."

The University's new DNA Barcoding Laboratory played a crucial role in these discoveries. For the first time in Guyana's conservation history, researchers processed environmental DNA samples entirely within the country. This technological advancement allowed for immediate species identification in the field, dramatically accelerating the research process and demonstrating Guyana's growing capacity for advanced scientific research.

The research team documented over 1,300 species in total, including more than 600 plant species and 713 vertebrate species. Beyond the 23 potentially new species, researchers identified 22 species never before recorded in Guyana. Each discovery adds to our understanding of how life adapts and evolves in one of Earth's oldest forest systems.

Indigenous Knowledge and Scientific Collaboration

The project exemplified successful collaboration between academic and indigenous expertise. More than 50 indigenous experts from the communities of Masakeñarî, Parabara, and Cashew Island worked alongside the research team, bringing generations of ecological knowledge to the project.

"Local knowledge was impressive on this survey," Dr. Maharaj emphasizes. "For the first time, the fish team got to experience the use of the haiari vine. This enabled them to capture 48 species in just 3 hours. This new method combined with more traditional methods of drag netting and gillnetting allowed for this comprehensive sampling in such a short time."

The synergy between different team members proved crucial to the project's success. "There was a good synergy between the team members and their different backgrounds," notes Dr. Maharaj. "Everyone was able to learn something new and gain fresh perspectives on what we were seeing and doing."

The indigenous experts' knowledge proved invaluable in understanding species behavior and distribution patterns. "The indigenous members of the team provided vital information to allow others to truly understand the complexities of these animals. Local knowledge was critical in this survey," Dr. Maharaj notes. This collaboration led to findings that had never been documented in Western scientific literature.

Conservation Impact and Future Implications

The discoveries in the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor carry implications far beyond Guyana's borders. As climate change and development threaten species worldwide, understanding intact ecosystems becomes increasingly valuable. These findings provide crucial data about how undisturbed tropical forests function and how species interact within them.

The presence of large, healthy populations of apex predators and keystone species particularly excites scientists. These species, including jaguars and harpy eagles, often disappear first when ecosystems face pressure. Their abundance here indicates exceptional ecosystem health and stability.

Looking ahead, these discoveries have significant implications for conservation planning in the region. "By showing that the region's biodiversity is intact and flourishing, this rapid inventory has provided scientific proof that the Acarai-Corentyne corridor is an excellent choice to potentially become a new protected area," Dr. Maharaj concludes.