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  The Straits Times 4 Sep 06
NUS student finds new animal species
by Tania Tan

Call him a sort of Columbus.

Like the famed explorer who discovered America in 1492, National University of Singapore graduate student Reuben Clements has unearthed a new world of previously unidentified animals.

His find consists of 20 new species of invertebrates -- mostly snails -- which have until now been buried in South-east Asia's hilly limestone called karst.

The 27-year old, who is pursuing his master's in conservation biology, made nine expeditions to Malaysia and Indonesia, each to different hills. There, in the rocks, he saw over 130 species of organisms, including microscopic snails, blind crabs and plants.

But what is significant about his discoveries is not what, but where, they are found. New species are being discovered all the time, said Professor Peter Ng, director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research. What is important is that they were unearthed in various limestone karsts previously visited by other scientists.

"They must have missed it", said Prof Ng. But thanks to a keen eye and hard work, Mr Clements managed to find the novel species, which he is just beginning to study.

Formed millions of years ago by calcium-producing marine coral, limestone karsts are massive formations that cover 400,000 sq km of land in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. That is almost 570 times the size of Singapore.

Left untouched for aeons, these rock formations became the "perfect place" for unique species to develop and evolve, said Mr Clements.

But this biological treasure trove is under threat. Karst is often where the Chinese delicacy, bird's nest, is harvested. As the primary component for cement, limestone is also being rapidly mined for South-east Asia's growing concrete jungle.

More studies are needed to determine just how quickly these karsts are being destroyed, byt Mr Celements is not optimistic because of the booming demand for building materials in the region.

Losing the plant and animal species native to these rock areas would be "a terrible waste", he said. "No species--big or small--deserves to go extinct" he added.
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