New discovery by scientists in the planet's largest cave.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Scientists have recently discovered a new species of snail in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. The research team has proposed naming this new species the Son Doong cone snail.

On January 8th, leaders of the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board ( Quang Binh province) announced that Vietnamese scientists have discovered and collected a new animal species in sinkhole 1, Son Doong cave.

The newly discovered animal belongs to the snail species, genus Calybium, family Helicinidae, order Cycloneritida, class Gastropoda, kingdom Animalia, and the research team has proposed naming it the Son Doong cone snail.

A new species of snail has been discovered in Son Doong Cave (Photo provided by Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park).

The new snail species was described in the research project "Biodiversity Study of Son Doong Cave System, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province for Conservation and Sustainable Development", led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Lien, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Museum of Nature.

A laboratory photo of a newly discovered snail species in Son Doong Cave (Photo: Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park provided).

Currently, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park records 2,954 species of vascular plants, belonging to 1,007 genera, 198 families, 63 orders, 12 classes, and 6 phyla. Of these, 111 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book, and 121 species are listed in the World Red Book.

Regarding animals, 1,399 species belonging to 835 genera, 289 families, 66 orders, 12 classes, and 4 phyla were recorded. Of these, 82 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book, and 116 species are listed in the World Red Book.

Son Doong Cave, located amidst the Phong Nha - Ke Bang mountain range in Quang Binh province, was first discovered by a local resident in 1990.

In 2009, Son Doong Cave was discovered and declared the largest cave on the planet by the British Royal Cave Association. Since its discovery, Son Doong Cave has captivated the world with its unbelievably enormous size and unique cave formations unlike anywhere else.

In 2014, Quang Binh province authorized the opening of Son Doong cave for tourism, with a limit of no more than 1,000 visitors per year.

After a decade of being open to visitors, the world's largest cave has welcomed over 7,500 people. Notably, around 20 people have explored the cave between 2 and 8 times.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/phat-hien-moi-cua-cac-nha-khoa-hoc-trong-hang-dong-lon-nhat-hanh-tinh-20250108141725248.htm