Scientists have found almost 400 new species in the Amazon rainforest, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has announced.

Their discoveries, made over a two year period, include a new type of primate from the zogue-zogue or titi monkey family.

The conservation charity is warning that the newly uncovered plants and animals were all in areas threatened by human activity.

The news follows a decision to quash controversial government plans which would see areas of the Amazon opened up to more mining.

Almost 400 new species have been found in the Amazon rainforest, but the WWF is warning they were all uncovered in areas threatened by human activity. Their discoveries include a new type of primate from the zogue-zogue or titi monkey family (pictured in a stock image)

STUDY FACTS This is the third report in a series, listing 2,100 new species over the last 17 years. The first presented 1,200 new species discovered between 1999 and 2009. The second revealed 602 new species discovered between 2010 and 2013. A new species was discovered every three days on average between 1999 and 2009. Between 2010 and 2013, this rose to a new species every 2.5 days. Despite the steady increase in the rate of discovery, the WWF believes there are still many more to be found. It also fears that many species in the Amazon will go extinct without ever being catalogued. Globally, it is estimated that 80 per cent of species are yet to be identified. Advertisement

The report by the WWF and Brazil's Mamiraua Institute, released in Sao Paulo, lists 216 previously unknown plants, 93 fish, 32 amphibians, 19 reptiles, one bird and 20 mammals, two of them fossils.

Two of the new fish species were found in conservation areas in the National Reserve of Copper and Associates (Renca) area.

A Brazilian judge granted an injunction on Wednesday blocking a decree by President Michel Temer to allow commercial mining in Renca, a huge protected area the size of Switzerland which encompasses nine conservation areas.

One of the most interesting finds from the study is the fire-tailed titi monkey, or Milton’s titi, found during an expedition organised by WWF Brazil.

Speaking to G1 about its discovery Fernanda Paim, a biologist and researcher at the institute said: 'It is a medium-sized animal, it weighs around four kilos, and leaves us surprised because it is still possible to discover new species of primates in the Amazon.'

A new species was discovered in the Amazon area, spread over nine South American countries, every two days on average between 2014 and 2015.

Other newly discovered species include a white ball acari, a nocturnal river fish, and a 'honeycomb' stingray, a freshwater ray found in the upper basin of the Madeira River.

However, the good news comes with a worrying trend, the WWF said.

Sarah Hutchison, WWF Head of Programmes Brazil and Amazon added: 'We are only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unveiling the incredible species that live in the Amazon.

'Yet instead of this precious area being safeguarded, it is under greater threat than ever before.

'There is a real risk that at the rate at which the Amazon is changing many species may become extinct before we have had chance to find them.

The news comes after a decision to quash government plans which would see areas of the Amazon opened up to more mining. Two of the new fish species, including a colourful roadside pond fish (pictured), were found in conservation areas affected by the decision

This map shows 292 confirmed collection points of 381 new species registered in the Amazon between January 2014 and December 2015. Of these, 216 were plants, 93 fish, 32 amphibians, 19 reptiles, one bird and 20 mammals

SOME OF THE NEW SPECIES THAT WERE UNCOVERED · A new species of pink river dolphin - Estimated to have a population of around 1,000 individuals the species is under threat from the construction of hydroelectric dams, and industrial, agricultural and cattle ranching activities. Pink river dolphins play an important role in the popular imagination and culture of the Amazon, and in the myths and legends which surround it. · A snake that looks like it has two pairs of eyes – Although small (around 40 cm), this snake is eye-catching due to its colours and patterns. Its head is black, with a pale collar that resembles a broken necklace which, when seen from the top, recalls a pair of eyes. Its lips are white or yellow and it has a triangular mark behind its eyes. · Fire-tailed titi monkey – This striking monkey from the southern Amazon owes its name to its long bright orange tail. The species is under threat from deforestation. · A yellow-moustached lizard – This lizard is predominantly dark brown and has black stripes on the sides of its head. In the region of its upper mouth contour, on its head and neck, most scales are covered by a blazing orangish-yellow tinge. The name refers to the yellow tone of the upper lip of this species · A blind snake that likes to bury itself - The snakes of this family have rudimentary eyes and they spend most of the time buried in the soil or under rocks. In this species, an eye-catching bright yellow tone completely covers the scales on the upper part of its head, as well as the terminal portion of its spine. · A freshwater honeycomb-patterned stingray - found in the Brazilian state of Rondônia. Its dorsal pattern is usually dark brownish, with honeycomb-like speckles. · Colourful roadside pond fish – This annual fish was discovered in a roadside pond in Bolivia, which is the only known location where the species occurs. This beautiful fish has a predominantly reddish-brown colour, with white speckles spread over its body, and a blue hue on the distal part of its fins. · An enigmatic, nocturnal frog - This frog is nocturnal and inhabits open areas on the Venezuelan tepuis table mountain between altitudes of 1,800 and 2,600 metres above sea level. During the day, it is easy to find it on bromeliad plants, where it hides for long periods. · A curious electric fish - Found in a lowland floodplain of the River Amazon, this electric fish sends out weak electric charges which are incapable of causing harm to other fish. It can reach 1 meter in length, has a long snout, a small, toothless mouth, and a unique colour pattern that consists of a series of dark rounded blotches which run horizontally along the side of its body. It is nocturnal and lives buried in the sand during the day. · A bird that pays tribute to the Brazilian rubber tapper – Discovered after its unknown call attracted attention, this bird's name - Chico's Tyrannulet - is a tribute to the rubber tapper and environmentalist Francisco Alves Mendes Filho. Better-known as Chico Mendes, he was a leader of the rubber tapping communities, and played a key role in opening the world's eyes to the problems faced by the Amazon. Advertisement

'The discovery of 381 new species is a wake-up call for the Governments of Amazon countries that they must halt the ongoing and relentless deforestation and work to preserve its unparalleled biodiversity.

'If they don't, there will continue to be irreversible impacts on the Amazon's much loved wildlife, undiscovered species and the local and indigenous people that call it home.'

The Amazon contains nearly a third of all the tropical rainforests left on Earth.

Despite covering only around one per cent of the planet's surface, it is thought to be home to ten per cent of known species.

Among the species discovered was Chico's Tyrannulet, in the family Tyrannidae (pictured) It is a tribute to the rubber tapper and environmentalist Francisco Alves Mendes Filho who played a key role in opening the world's eyes to the problems faced by the Amazon (stock image)

An enigmatic, nocturnal frog that inhabits open areas on the Venezuelan tepuis table mountain between altitudes of 1,800 and 2,600 metres above sea level was also found. This glass frog was found in Costa Rica in 2015

Globally, it is estimated that 80 per cent of species are yet to be identified.

This is the third report in a series, listing 2,100 new species over the last 17 years.

The first presented 1,200 new species discovered between 1999 and 2009.

The second revealed 602 new species discovered between 2010 and 2013.

A new species was discovered every three days on average between 1999 and 2009.

Between 2010 and 2013, this rose to a new species every 2.5 days.

Despite the steady increase in the rate of discovery, the WWF believes there are still many more to be found.

It also fears that many species in the Amazon will go extinct without ever being catalogued.

Pink river dolphins (pictured) play an important role in the popular imagination and culture of the Amazon, and in the myths and legends which surround it. A new species, estimated to have a population of around 1,000 individuals, was uncovered during the study (stock image)

A 'honeycomb' stingray, a type freshwater ray (pictured), was also found in the upper Madeira River. Despite the steady increase in the rate of discovery, the WWF believes there are still many more species to be found (stock image)

The fact that many species have been discovered in protected areas reinforces the importance of keeping them intact and increasing research efforts in these areas, it argues.

The current rate of human-related extinction of wildlife is between 1,000 and 10,000 times that of the natural rate of extinction.

Knowing the total number of species in the region provides a baseline from which to monitor current and future wildlife losses.

The discovery of new species is important for environmental and natural resource management, and it may guide the establishment of protected areas.

Ms Hutchinson added: 'We hope that this report will inspire scientists and stimulate further research.

'Sharing new discoveries is essential to supporting conservation efforts and, as one of the last great wildernesses, there are many more secrets left to uncover.'