The “lost worlds” of Mount Roraima and the Guiana Highlands harbour the greatest concentrations of endemic life of any major mountain range on the planet. We are still only beginning to understand the full diversity of wildlife found in this ultra-biodiverse region of South America. This month, three new spectacular species of carnivorous pitcher plants have been described from the tablelands of Venezuela (Heliamphora ciliata, H. huberi and H. uncinata). All three of these spectacular plants produce “pitcher” leaves up to 30 cm tall, which catch, kill and digest insects and other small animals! The majority of the 18 known species of carnivorous pitcher plants from the lost world have been discovered and named only in the last few years, and doubtless many more remain discovery!

Many new and little known animal species are continually found too. Last year, a spectacular, primitive lizard, with black skin and yellow spots was discovered or re-discovered. This animal, called Riolama leucosticta, has only ever been seen on once before, when it was first found! Riolama leucosticta shows traits similar to reptiles found in other ex-Gondwana continents, and appears to be another “living fossil” that has persisted little changed, in isolation on top of the great tablelands, separated from the rest of the world! Check back next week for a detailed post on other ancient living fossils of the lost worlds!