Using DNA analysis and detailed measurements of corpses' skulls, the scientists made a remarkable discovery: They had identified a new species of antelope among the animals sold as bush-meat in West Africa.

Scientists across the globe discover new species every day. But what was so special about the institute's find was the size, explains Erik Verheyen, one of the team. Most discoveries are, unsurprisingly, of smaller species such as fish or rodents; such a large catch happens only every few years.

There are two chief species of antelope - or duikers, as the smaller, bush-dwelling species are called - in West Africa, namely Philantomba monticola and Philantomba maxwellii. However, scientists spotted that there was some variation in the colour and size among animals purportedly of the latter.

They collected specimens of what had been thought to be maxwellii antelope, fishing them out from the carcasses sold on the markets in Togo, Benin and the Niger Delta. "Very few people have seen them alive. They are mainly killed for bush meat," says Verheyen.

At first, the team believed they had found an intermediary species, perhaps a cross breed. Molecular biology carried out in Brussels, however, showed that these specimens contained entirely different genes. Verheyen: "Our analysis established that this was a new species."

Aside from the excitement of discovering such a large species - named Philantomba walteri - the institute's find is imperative for the conservation of these animals. They only exist in small numbers and are such a target for hunters that they may already be classed as endangered.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) has contacted the institute to find out about its work, according to Verheyen, who describes the plight of the new species as an "emergency situation".

At present, the ICUN's so-called Red List of threatened species does not categorise the two duiker populations in West Africa as being in danger, although it notes that numbers of the maxwellii are decreasing. Verheyen says he expects this to change rapidly.

Identifying endangered species is part of the mission of the Brussels institute, whose team of scientists is plotting an ecological history of certain regions, notably in Africa, tracing how different animals have evolved over time and finding clues about the environmental history.

The institute also examines endemic species - species that are found nowhere else. In the case of this region of West Africa, known as the Dahomey Gap, there were thought to be few animals that could not be found elsewhere.

"This area contains few endemics ... this may explain the modest scientific interest for the taxonomy of its fauna. The discovery of this new species should stimulate taxonomic and conservation activities in the region," wrote the team in an article published in the New Zealand-based journal Zootaxa.

Verheyen underscores the importance of building these profiles of different regions. "It's important to know about the different species and which ones are endangered," he says. "Then if you study how they have moved around over time, you can also learn how resilient they are."

This is particularly important given the potentially grave environmental consequences of climate change. Increasingly hotter weather in Africa will inevitably lead to more intense droughts and the demise of habitats of some of these species.

By looking at the past and how animals have adapted, scientists can make predictions about the future. However, Verheyen likens this to the science of economics, wryly noting that if we could accurately predict, then we would all be very rich.

Regardless, there are predictions. "These allow us to define an area which is more important to protect than others; ones where there are animals and plants that are unique," explains Verheyen.

The discovery is timely, with 2010 being the European Union Year of Biodiversity. The EU, which has failed to meet its target to halt biodiversity loss before the end of this year, wants to highlight the importance of protecting biodiversity for the sake of ecosystems, climate and human needs. Many important medicines, for example, are found in nature.

Verheyen notes that species are being discovered every day but also disappearing every day. The institute's scientists have shown once again how much we don't know. "The discovery of a species of this size shows we have to look a lot harder at our natural environment."

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