Scientists have recently made an exciting discovery in South East Asia – they have found five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs. This discovery required multiple scientific missions to the animals' tropical forest habitat to study them. Additionally, researchers re-evaluated specimens of the mammals that had been stored in museum collections for many years. Through a detailed study, they found that two of the animals in the museums were previously unknown to science. Furthermore, three other animals, previously categorized as subtypes of one species, were determined to be distinct enough from each other to be recognized as individual species.

Dr. Melissa Hawkins, one of the lead researchers from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, expressed that this discovery highlights the incredible diversity of life on our planet that is still waiting to be revealed. She emphasized that even in well-studied groups like mammals, especially those that live in hard-to-reach habitats, there is still much we do not know. Dr. Hawkins also mentioned that finding animals like these can draw attention to threatened rainforest ecosystems.

The newly discovered species belong to a group of hedgehogs called Hylomys, which are found in South East Asia. Previously, only two species were known, but this discovery brings the total to seven. These small, long-nosed mammals are furry rather than spiny like their more familiar hedgehog relatives. Dr. Arlo Hinckley, also from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, highlighted the importance of this discovery in South East Asia, which has the highest rates of deforestation in the world.

Discovering new species can be challenging, especially when studying small animals that live in dense forests. The researchers found key differences in the genetic codes and physical characteristics, particularly the shape of their heads and teeth. The scientists named one of the newly discovered species Hylomys macarong, which means "vampire" in Vietnamese, due to its particularly long fangs. In addition to studying the animals in the wild, the researchers examined specimens from various natural history collections across Asia, Europe, and the US. Two of the newly discovered species were found in museum collections where they had been stored for several decades.

Dr. Hawkins described the ability of museum curators to "time travel" by looking at specimens in collections. This allowed them to gather enough genetic material to confirm that the three other species, previously categorized as subspecies, were actually biologically distinct. Each Hylomys species appears to inhabit a slightly different habitat, with some found in lowland forests and others at higher altitudes. Dr. Hinckley compared finding these unique animals to the inclusion of a Picasso painting in an art gallery or the discovery of an archaeological site in a city. He emphasized the additional value and potential funding that can come from protecting these important habitats.

The discovery of these five new soft-furred hedgehog species has been published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. This finding highlights the ongoing exploration and discovery of

Original news source: Five new soft-furred hedgehog species discovered (BBC)

– NEWS SUMMARY
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and write a summary of the main points. They should focus on the discovery of the five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs in South East Asia and the importance of this finding in terms of biodiversity and conservation. Afterward, students can share their summaries with the class.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students. Each group will discuss and share their opinions on the following question: "Do you think it is important to continue exploring and discovering new species? Why or why not?" Afterward, each group will present their opinions to the class and engage in a class discussion.
– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: In pairs, students will choose 5-10 key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., species, habitat, diversity, deforestation) and draw a picture to represent each word. They will take turns showing their partner the picture and the partner has to guess the corresponding vocabulary word. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary retention and encourages creativity.
– SYNOPSIS CHALLENGE
Instructions: In this activity, students will work individually or in pairs to create a short synopsis or blurb for a fictional book or movie based on the article. They should incorporate the main elements of the article, such as the discovery of the new hedgehog species, the importance of biodiversity, and the threats to rainforest ecosystems. Afterward, students can share their synopses and discuss the different creative interpretations.
– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will create catchy and informative newspaper headlines based on the article. The headlines should capture the essence of the discovery of the new hedgehog species and its significance. Afterward, students can share their headlines with the class and discuss which ones they find most compelling and why.

Scientists have recently made an exciting discovery in ? East Asia – they have found five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs. This discovery required multiple scientific missions to the animals' ? forest habitat to ? them. Additionally, researchers re-evaluated specimens of the mammals that had been stored in museum collections for many years. Through a detailed study, they found that two of the animals in the museums were previously unknown to science. Furthermore, three other animals, previously categorized as subtypes of one species, were determined to be distinct enough from each other to be recognized as individual species. Dr. Melissa Hawkins, one of the lead researchers from the Smithsonian ? Museum of Natural History, expressed that this discovery highlights the incredible diversity of life on our planet that is still ? to be revealed. She emphasized that even in well-studied groups like mammals, especially those that live in hard-to-reach habitats, there is still much we do not know. Dr. Hawkins also mentioned that finding ? like these can draw attention to threatened ? ecosystems. The newly ? species belong to a group of hedgehogs called Hylomys, which are found in South East Asia. Previously, only two species were known, but this discovery brings the total to seven. These small, long-nosed mammals are furry rather than spiny like their more familiar hedgehog relatives. Dr. Arlo Hinckley, also from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, highlighted the importance of this discovery in South East Asia, which has the highest rates of deforestation in the world. Discovering new species can be challenging, especially when studying small animals that live in dense forests. The ? found key differences in the genetic codes and physical characteristics, particularly the shape of their heads and teeth. The scientists named one of the newly discovered species Hylomys macarong, which ? "vampire" in Vietnamese, due to its particularly long fangs. In addition to studying the animals in the wild, the researchers examined specimens from various natural history collections across Asia, Europe, and the US. Two of the newly discovered species were found in museum collections where they had been stored for several ?. Dr. Hawkins described the ability of museum ? to "time travel" by looking at specimens in collections. This allowed them to gather enough genetic material to confirm that the three other species, previously categorized as subspecies, were actually biologically ?. Each Hylomys species appears to inhabit a slightly ? habitat, with some found in lowland forests and others at higher altitudes. Dr. Hinckley compared finding these unique animals to the inclusion of a Picasso ? in an art gallery or the discovery of an archaeological site in a city. He emphasized the additional ? and potential funding that can come from protecting these important habitats. The discovery of these five new soft-furred hedgehog species has been published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. This finding highlights the ongoing exploration and discovery of

1. What is a soft-furred hedgehog?
2. How would you feel if you discovered a new species?
3. Do you think there are still many undiscovered species on our planet? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is the importance of studying animals that live in hard-to-reach habitats?
5. How do you think the discovery of these new species can draw attention to threatened rainforest ecosystems?
6. Do you like visiting museums? Why or why not?
7. How do you think museum collections can help in discovering new species?
8. What do you think is the significance of naming one of the new species "vampire"?
9. Do you think it is important to protect the habitats of these newly discovered species? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the discovery of these new species can contribute to our understanding of biodiversity?
11. What other habitats do you think could potentially have undiscovered species?
12. How do you think the ongoing exploration and discovery of new species can benefit scientific research?
13. Do you think it is important for scientists to collaborate with researchers from different countries? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the discovery of new species can impact conservation efforts?
15. What do you think is the role of museums in preserving and studying biodiversity?

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