Exotic species in the Amazon rainforest – invertebrates
By An Qi
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As the most biodiverse area on the planet, the Amazon rain forest is home to 10 percent of the planet's species. And no life form is more diverse than invertebrates, especially insects. A single square mile of rainforest often houses more than 50,000 insect species. It has been estimated to be around 2.5 million species of insects with 700 species of beetles discovered on just one tree. Do not forget spiders and scorpions: they are not insects, but also important residents in the jungle. 

With their massive jaws, strong enough to pierce human skin, leaf-cutter ants are well equipped to tear away at vegetation. /VCG Photo

With their massive jaws, strong enough to pierce human skin, leaf-cutter ants are well equipped to tear away at vegetation. /VCG Photo

To discover more about Amazonian creatures, check here:

Exotic species in the Amazon rain forest – mammals

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2019-08-28/Exotic-species-in-the-Amazon-rain-forest-mammals-Jwn4fSfspW/index.html

Exotic species in the Amazon rainforest – birds

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2019-08-28/Exotic-species-in-the-Amazon-rainforest-birds-JwGzm9aNKo/index.html

Exotic species in the Amazon rainforest – reptiles

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2019-09-02/Exotic-species-in-the-Amazon-rainforest-reptiles-JEVqgmExaM/index.html

Exotic species in the Amazon rainforest – fishes

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2019-08-30/Exotic-species-in-the-Amazon-rainforest-fishes-JzEn7RDaog/index.html

Exotic species in the Amazon rainforest – amphibians

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2019-09-02/Exotic-species-in-the-Amazon-rainforest-amphibians-JEEGwmvv3y/index.html

(Cover image via VCG)

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