Latest news with #Amazonetta
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Deep-sea creatures and ‘accordion-like' animals: See latest new species
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses. Learn more about some recent new species discoveries: 'Large'-headed creature with spiny skin found on Nepal peak. It's a new species In the remote mountains of Nepal, researchers have identified a new species of frog known as the Khumbu Himal lazy toad, or Scutiger khumbu. This medium-sized toad, found in the Khumbu region, is distinguished by its large, flat head and spiny skin. The discovery highlights the rich amphibian diversity within the Himalayan cloud forests and suggests the possibility of 'even more undiscovered' species. | Published May 8 | Read More | Deep-sea creature with 'massive eyes' discovered in canyon. It's a new species A new species of octopus, the Carnarvon flapjack octopus, has been discovered in the depths of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Australia. This gelatinous creature, known for its massive eyes and long arms, was found during an expedition by the CSIRO. The octopus inhabits underwater canyons at depths of 3,400 to 5,000 feet. | Published May 13 | Read More | Divers catch 'accordion-like' creature off coast of Spain. It's a new species Off the coast of Galicia, Spain, divers have discovered a new species of ribbon worm named Pararosa vigarae, or the accordion worm. This unique marine worm can contract its body to one-fourth of its full size and is known for its venomous nature. The species was named in honor of the senior author's wife, Rosa Vigara. | Published May 7 | Read More | Clawed black-eyed creature found hiding under rock in Zambia. It's a new species In the woodlands of northeastern Zambia, scientists have uncovered a new species of lizard called Margarita's scrub lizard, or Nucras margaritae. This moderately sized lizard, with its large black eyes and clawed limbs, was discovered during an ant survey. The species was named in memory of a late colleague, Margarita Metallinou. | Published May 9 | Read More | Bone discovered in ancient layer of Cuban cave belonged to a new extinct species In the mountains of western Cuba, researchers have unearthed the bone of a new extinct species of duck, the Cuban teal, or Amazonetta cubensis. This discovery, made in El Abrón Cave, provides insight into the distribution of Amazonetta ducks during the Quaternary period. The Cuban teal is closely related to the Brazilian teal. | Published May 12 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery and sightings of the most unusual and intriguing species. Check back for the latest stories.
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Bone discovered in ancient layer of Cuban cave belonged to a new extinct species
During a joint expedition to the mountains of western Cuba, researchers uncovered a rare complete bone from a bird that lived between 18,000 and 11,000 years ago. The humerus, pulled from a well-preserved ancient layer of sediment, belonged to a new extinct species of duck named Amazonetta cubensis, or the Cuban teal, according to a May 9 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. The Cuban teal is described as 'a relatively small duck' with many physical similarities to its closest living relative, the Brazilian teal, according to researcher Nikita Zelenkov. Zelenkov said the discovery is significant because it 'for the first time indicates a wider distribution of Amazonetta ducks' during the later Quaternary period, which spanned from the later or upper Pleistocene and Holocene epochs. According to the study, many insular or island duck species had reduced flying abilities. Experts point to a lack of island predators as the reason for this change. The Cuban teal, however, likely never lost its ability to fly. If it did, it would 'almost certainly have been one of the main prey items of raptors and as a result would have been relatively common in the fossil record,' according to Zelenkov. Zelenkov said duck fossils are 'extremely rare' in the West Indies, with only two other fossil ducks ever reported in Cuba. The fossil was discovered in El Abrón Cave in Western Cuba's Pinar-del-Río province, the study said. The extinct species was discovered in a geological layer of the cave dating back to the Late Pleistocene epoch, Zelenkov said. This particular layer is 'rich' with vertebrate remains left behind by ancient avian predators, specifically barn owls, according to the study.
