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Miami Herald
23-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Hikers scare ‘secretive' creature in China forest — and rediscover rare species
In a mountain forest of southeastern China, a 'secretive' creature tucked itself under some dead leaves. Something nearby 'disturbed' it, and it emerged from its hiding place. Nearby scientists spotted the rare animal — and rediscovered a species. A team of researchers hiked into the Wuyishan Mountains of Fujian Province in 2018 as part of a project to survey reptile diversity, according to a study published July 23 in the peer-reviewed Biodiversity Data Journal. While walking around a 'sunny hillside' one morning, researchers passed by a snake 'hiding under the dead leaves' and scared it out, the study said. Intrigued, they caught the snake and, after taking a closer look, realized they'd rediscovered a poorly known species: Plagiopholis styani, or the Chinese mountain snake. Chinese mountain snakes were first discovered in 1899 in Fujian Province but had 'rarely' been seen there ever since, researchers said. In general, the species belongs to a 'rarely studied' group of snakes that are widespread across Asia but 'are not easily encountered due to their secretive habits.' A photo shows the Chinese mountain snake found in Fujian in 2018. It measured about 16 inches and had a 'short' body and tail, the study said. Overall, it was 'greyish-brown with some small black spots.' Researchers saw the snake crawling 'out from under the dead leaves' and described it as 'slow and easy to catch.' 'Previously, Plagiopholis styani was considered to be widely distributed in southern China,' but a DNA analysis of the newfound specimen suggested it 'may only be distributed in Fujian and neighbouring' provinces, the study said. Some of the snakes previously thought to be Chinese mountain snakes likely 'represents an undescribed species.' The Chinese mountain snake was identified by its coloring, scale pattern and other subtle physical features, the study said. The research team included Shuo Liu, Zengyang Luo, Xi Xiao, Caichun Peng, Dongru Zhang and Shize Li.
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Cryptic' creature found clinging to garden wall on Cyprus for first time. See it
For the better part of a decade, researchers searched the dark and damp nooks and crannies of a Mediterranean island. Cyprus, off the southern coast of Turkey, was suspected to be a new home for an 'ancient' species, but no living specimens had been discovered — until now. 'Amblypygi, commonly known as tailless whip scorpions or whip spiders, is an order of Arachnida noted for its cryptic habits and predominantly tropical and subtropical distribution. Although the group was first mentioned on the island of Cyprus in 1990, no specific taxonomic information was provided at the time,' according to a July 10 study published in the peer-reviewed Biodiversity Data Journal. More than 30 years ago, researcher Boris Sket found the carcasses of tailless whip scorpions on the limestone of a monastery on Cyprus near a natural spring, but didn't collect any live animals and the species was never noted again, according to the study. Researchers hoped to confirm this record, but after 'seven years of dedicated searches,' they were still empty-handed. Armed with flashlights, researchers searched 'habitats with high relative humidity' including 'caves, abandoned wells, sewer outlets (and) shaded garden walls' across the island, according to the study. Then in July 2023, a single living adult tailless whip scorpion was found on a garden wall in the Pissouri village, researchers said. 'The specimen was kept for three days in a ventilated terrarium, with coconut fibre substrate, dry leaf litter and some rocks with cracks and was provided water, moisture and small mealworms and cockroaches as food,' according to the study. After three days, the animal died naturally, allowing researchers to take a closer look and confirm its specific species based on physical traits. The animal was Sarax ioanniticus, a species first identified in 1959, according to the study. The species is 'characterized by their very thin and elongated first pair of legs and flattened bodies,' researchers said. 'They are nocturnal predators, primarily feeding on insects and small invertebrates.' This particular order of tailless whip scorpions has sensory organs in their front legs, so the legs are used for prey detection instead of locomotion, according to the study. Researchers also used reports of the animals to map where they were distributed across the island, finding that there is likely a well-established population, according to the study. 'Citizen science has played a crucial role in documenting species such as S. ioanniticus in Cyprus and the broader Mediterranean Region,' researchers said. 'Local contributions, especially through platforms like iNaturalist and social media groups focused on biodiversity, have been instrumental in recording occurrences of numerous important alien and native species. Such records, contributed by non-professionals, help fill gaps in species' distributions, offer valuable support for ecological research and assist conservation efforts.' Cyprus is in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and west of Syria and Lebanon. The research team includes Michael Hadjiconstantis, Matthew Stephen Smith and Christos Zoumides.
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Mountain creature with ‘burly' fingers found in China park. It's a new species
On a humid night in the mountains of southern China, a 'slender'-limbed creature with 'burly' fingers emerged from its hiding place and perched on some 'moist rocks' near a stream. Its 'remote' home usually helped it go unnoticed but not on this night. Visiting scientists spotted the 'horned' animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers hiked into the mountains of Daxueshan Nature Reserve in June 2023 to survey amphibians. The nature reserve sat within 'a global hotspot for amphibian diversity,' so the team expected to find some interesting animals, according to a study published July 3 in the peer-reviewed Biodiversity Data Journal. Sure enough, during their nighttime surveys, researchers found a few unfamiliar-looking frogs along a 'stream edge.' Intrigued, they took a closer look at the frogs, analyzed their DNA and realized they were a new species: Boulenophrys daxuemontis, or the Daxueshan horned toad. Daxueshan horned toads are considered 'moderate'-sized, reaching about 1.6 inches in length, the study said. They have 'flat' heads, 'pointed' snouts and 'large' eyes. Their eyelids have a 'single horn-like' bump on the edge. Their arms and legs are 'slender,' and their fingers are 'burly.' Photos show the 'rough' texture and coloring of the new species. Overall, the toads vary from light brown to orange-brown to yellow-brown but all have an upside-down triangle marking on their heads. Daxueshan horned toads were found 'on stones in the streams' of a mountain forest at elevations of about 4,600 to 5,000 feet, the study said. One area had 'a gravel-bottomed streambed with loud flowing water.' No female Daxueshan horned toads were found, and much about the new species remains unknown. Researchers said they named the new species after Daxue Mountain where it was first discovered and, so far, the only place where it has been found. The park sits on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in southern China. The new species was identified by its body size, texture, finger and toe shape, limb length and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 4% genetic divergence from related toad species. The research team included Jing Liu, Shize Li, Yanlin Cheng, Gang Wei, Bin Wang and Gang Cheng.
Miami Herald
02-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Spiny' creatures get stomachs ‘flushed' to reveal their mystery diets in Vietnam
In northeastern Vietnam, researchers spent nearly a decade scouring mountain forests and nature reserves for a little-known endangered species of frog. Quasipaa acanthophora, or the Mau Son spiny frog, was discovered in 2009 on Mau Son Mountain and has now been reported in a new location, bringing the number of known populations to three, according to an April 29 study published in Biodiversity Data Journal. Researchers said recent fieldwork led to the discovery of a Mau Son spiny frog population in Dong Son–Ky Thuong Nature Reserve in Quang Ninh Province, about a 120-mile drive east from Hanoi. Experts have also begun to unlock mysteries about the diet of the Mau Son spiny frog, which was previously unknown, according to the study. Staked out along rocky streams in evergreen forests — the species' natural habitat — researchers caught 38 spiny frogs by hand and 'flushed' their stomachs to analyze the contents. The process, which caused no harm to the frogs, revealed '446 prey items,' giving researchers insights into the types and size of prey, as well as possible differences in consumption habits between males and females and adults and young, according to the study. Researchers found 27 different categories of prey, 21 of which were insects, in the stomachs of the Mau Son spiny frogs. Cockroaches and beetles are the most prominent or 'important' food source to the opportunistic feeders, according to the study. Crustaceans and whip scorpions were found only in the stomachs of female frogs, while crane flies and centipedes were found only in the stomachs of males, according to researchers. The spiny frogs are described as being 'large' and 'robust' with warty skin, 'pale copper' irises and 'immaculate white' bellies, according to the study. Mau Son spiny frogs are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and endangered in Vietnam's Red Data Book, according to researchers. The research team included Vien Hong Thi Nguyen, Anh Van Pham, Truong Quang Nguyen, Tung Thanh Tran, Thomas Ziegler and Cuong The Pham.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned after accidentally finding ultra-rare creature: 'It is the first record of a juvenile of the species made anywhere'
For the first time, scientists have spotted a young Himalayan frog in Tibet, marking a breakthrough for a species rarely seen since its initial discovery over a century ago, reported the Idaho Statesman. The Himalayan frog, known scientifically as Amolops himalayanus, was accidentally found during a routine survey of forest pests. This small, green amphibian with distinctive disc-shaped toes had previously been documented in only India and Nepal. This discovery represents the first-ever documented juvenile of the species anywhere in the world. The finding gives researchers valuable insights into the early life stages of these elusive amphibians and offers new hope for understanding their life cycle and habitat needs. This conservation success story also points to the possibility of healthier stream ecosystems throughout the Himalayan region. Amphibians are natural indicators of environmental health. Their permeable skin makes them sensitive to water and air quality changes. The presence of this frog in a new location suggests clean waterways exist across a wider range than previously thought. The beautiful creature certainly stands out. Its bright green body is spotted with black markings, and its yellowish-green limbs are crossed with brown bars. Perhaps most distinctive is the black stripe running from its snout through its eyes to its ears, giving it a masked appearance that helps it blend into streamside vegetation. "The team of scientists found the frog at night, sitting in shrubland by a river. It is the first record of a juvenile of the species made anywhere," according to the study published in the Biodiversity Data Journal, the Idaho Statesman said. "Amolops himalayanus was discovered in Darjeeling, India, in 1888 and is considered 'poorly known,'" according to researchers, the Idaho Statesman added. The research team, which includes JiShan Wang, Shuo Liu, Hengying Wang, Mo Wang, and Dingqi Rao, has opened new doors for protection efforts that could help secure this amphibian's future and the ecosystems it calls home. Do you worry about the quality of the air inside your home? Yes — often Yes — but only sometimes Only when it's bad outside No — I never do Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
