A purple fluorescent frog, of the genus Atelopus and discovered during a follow-up survey of the Nassau plateau in mid 2006 by Surinamese scientists Paul Ouboter and Jan Mol, is seen in this undated handout photo. The frog is one of 24 new species found in the South American highlands of Suriname, conservationists reported on June 4, 2007, warning that these creatures are threatened by illegal gold mining. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Two dozen new species including a purple fluorescent frog were discovered in the South American Highlands of Suriname, scientists said Monday.

    "The discovery of so many species outside the insect realm is extraordinary and points up the need to survey distant regions," said Leeanne Alonso of Conservation International, which led the expedition that found the new species.

    "When you go to these places that are so unexplored and so remote, we do tend to find new species ... but most of them are insects," Alonso said by telephone from Suriname's capital, Paramaribo. "What's really exciting here is we found a lot of new species of frogs and fish as well."

    Among the species found were the atelopus frog, which has distinctive purple markings; six types of fish; 12 dung beetles, and one ant species, he said.

    The scientists called for better conservation management in the unprotected, state-owned areas, where hunting and small-scale illegal mining is common.

    (Agencies)