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Time of India
17-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Two new poisonous frog species discovered: Scientists issue warning
Image credits: X/@ehehe__he, @HerpsInTheNews In a shocking and intriguing discovery, two new species of poison dart frogs have been identified by scientists in the remote Brazilian Amazon , highlighting how little is truly known about the biodiversity in the rainforest. The discoveries were published in ZooKeys and PLOS One, revealing that these species are in the genus Ranitomeya, which hasn't been seen for more than a decade. The journey towards a discovery Reaching the newly discovered frogs required a challenging journey which began with a small plane flight followed by a 10-hour boat ride in the Juruá River, near the Brazil-Peru border. Identifying these frogs required more effort than just visual inspection, as they are nearly identical. 'Very distinct species can have the same appearance: the same colours and the same pattern,' explained Koch. He added that the situation is further complicated because 'sometimes a single species can have multiple patterns of colour.' Thus, to confirm their findings, scientists performed genetic sequencing, detailed morphological measurements under microscopes and acoustic analyses of mating calls. According to the results, both species occupy different branches on the evolutionary tree, confirming they are separate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo Ranitomeya Aquamarina Image credits: X/@ehehe__he The first species, Ranitomeya Aquamarina, also known as the "metallic poison frog", is notable for its unique turquoise stripes against a jet-black body. These frogs often appear in pairs, indicating a monogamy that is rare in amphibians. They tend to stay together for long periods, which is not typical for dart frogs. Ranitomeya Aetherea Image credits: X/@HerpsInTheNews The second species is called Ranitomeya aetherea, known for its sky blue stripes on a brick red body. Both species measure roughly about 15 to 17 millimetres, about the diameter of a dime, making them among the tiniest poison dart frogs ever documented. Unlike the species above, the Ranitomeya aetherea males are typically solitary and engage in frequent advertising calls to attract females, who don't stay in one spot for long. While these discoveries mark a significant addition in the identification of rare Amazon species, their existence is threatened by the rapid deforestation being carried out in the area. Since they are found in small volumes in areas just a few miles apart, they are vulnerable, and their exact conservation status still remains unknown.
Miami Herald
04-02-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Velvet' creature — with visible eggs in its belly — discovered as new species
As night fell across a remote region of northern Australia, a 'velvet' creature emerged from a pile of rocks. Its hard-to-reach habitat and camouflaged coloring helped it go largely unnoticed — until a visiting scientist spotted it. It turned out to be a new species. Conrad Hoskin ventured into a sparsely populated region of Queensland multiple times in 2022 to survey wildlife. The rocky, inland area 'is a hotspot of diversity,' he wrote in a study published Feb. 4 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. During the visits, Hoskin encountered some unfamiliar-looking lizards. Intrigued, he captured a few and photographed over a dozen more in the wild. Taking a closer look at the animals, Hoskin quickly realized he'd discovered a new species: Oedura atra, or the basalt velvet gecko. Basalt velvet geckos are considered 'medium-sized,' reaching about 5 inches in length, the study said. Their 'robust' bodies have 'a relatively wide head' and 'moderately long' limbs. Their tails are 'short' and 'broad' originally but, if lost, regrow with a 'bulbous' shape. Zootaxa shared a photo of the new species in a Feb. 3 post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The brown, blotchy gecko blends in with the surrounding rock and looks relatively smooth. Other photos, shared on X by @HerpsInTheNews, show the color variation of basalt velvet geckos, ranging from reddish brown to blackish brown. Hoskin said he named the new species after the Latin word 'atra, meaning black or dark,' because of its coloring. Its common name refers to its preferred habitat. Basalt velvet geckos live on 'exposed, piled, black basalt rocks,' the study said. Hoskin saw them 'active at night.' When 'disturbed,' the geckos retreated 'into deep crevices and holes in the rocks.' During both of his visits, Hoskins found female geckos 'with two well-developed eggs visible' in their bellies, the study said and a photo shows. Still, much of the new species' lifestyle remains unknown. So far, basalt velvet geckos have been found at two sites near Hughenden, a rural town in Queensland roughly 1,200 miles northwest of Sydney, but is likely more widespread. A photo from the Flinders Shire Council shows some basalt rocks around Hughenden. The new species was identified by its coloring, pattern, head and tail shape as well as other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 11% genetic divergence from other related gecko species.
