Latest news with #ConradHoskin
Miami Herald
19-02-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Bright'-eyed creature with a ‘whirring' call found in Australia. It's a new species
In a small patch of rainforest in northern Australia, a 'bright'-eyed creature perched on a bush and called out. Its 'whirring' sounds were meant to attract potential mates — but hooked nearby scientists instead. Although it wasn't clear right away, the calling animal turned out to be a new species. A team of researchers set out to study a supposedly widespread species of tree frog known as Litoria revelata. For years, these frogs had been a puzzle for scientists because they lived in three isolated areas of Queensland yet looked relatively similar. Some scientists thought the frogs were all the same species, while others thought there were important differences between the populations. Hoping to settle the debate, a team of researchers analyzed over 180 specimens of Litoria revelata from all three population areas, tested their DNA and compared recordings of their calls, according to a study published Feb. 10 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. Patterns began to emerge. In each location, the tree frogs were subtly yet consistently distinct, the study said. Researchers concluded they were looking at three distinct species: the true Litoria revelata, or southern whirring tree frog; the previously contested Litoria corbeni, or Atherton Tablelands whirring tree frog; and a new species Litoria eungellensis, or the Eungella whirring tree frog. Eungella whirring tree frogs can reach about 1.5 inches in length, the study said. They have 'relatively large' eyes with 'bright copper-gold' color on top and a 'brown copper-gold' color on the bottom. Their fingers are 'long,' and their snouts are 'rounded.' Photos show the new species, which varies from tan to creamy brown to 'bronze' but always has dark blotches on the undersides of its legs and a colorful groin. Eungella whirring tree frogs live in upland rainforest at elevations of at least 2,800 feet, the study said. They are often found sitting on the ground near 'slow-flowing' creeks and streams or perched on 'farm dams.' FrogID, a project led by the Australian Museum, includes a recording of the Eungella whirring tree frog's call. It sounds like a high-pitched warbling and can be heard here. Researchers said they named the new species after the Eungella region of Queensland where it was discovered and the only place where it lives. Because of its 'extremely small' distribution, it is already 'in urgent need of conservation attention.' The new species and other whirring tree frog species were identified by their DNA, subtle physical features and call sounds, the study said. The research team included Luke Price, Conrad Hoskin, Michael Mahony and Stephen Donnellan.
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.
Miami Herald
30-01-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Colorful creature found ‘basking' in sun on uninhabited island. It's a new species
On an uninhabited island off the coast of Australia, a 'smooth' rainforest creature sat in a patch of sunlight. But the 'basking' animal wouldn't be left in peace. A visiting scientist spotted it – and discovered a new species. Conrad Hoskin arrived on Scawfell Island, a rugged island off the country's northeastern coast, in 2021, he wrote in a study published Jan. 27 in the peer-reviewed Australian Journal of Taxonomy. He landed with a goal in mind. 'I went to that island in the hopes of finding some interesting reptile species,' Hoskin told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in a 2023 interview about the trip. During his visit, Hoskin searched the island's rainforests and noticed some unfamiliar-looking lizards, the study said. Intrigued, he caught a few and took them back to the mainland. When he compared the lizards to examples of known species, nothing matched. Hoskin soon realized he'd discovered a new species: Lampropholis isla, or the Scawfell Island sun skink. Scawfell Island sun skinks can reach about 4 inches in length, the study said. They have 'robust' bodies with 'almost no narrowing at (the) neck.' Their lower eyelids have a 'transparent' window-like disc. Some adult skinks had 'regrown' tails. Males and females of the new species vary in coloring, Hoskin said and photos show. Male Scawfell Island sun skinks have 'light brown' bodies with 'bright orange' patches on their sides. Female skinks also have brown bodies but no colorful patches, the study said and a photo shows. Hoskin found Scawfell Island sun skinks in rainforest areas with 'granite rocks,' such as several leaf-filled 'gullies.' He also saw the lizards 'basking in sun gaps on the forest floor' and searching for food. The new species's scientific name is the Spanish word 'isla,' meaning 'island,' after its native environment, the study said. So far, the new species has only been found on Scawfell Island. Hoskin searched nearby islands for the lizard but did not find it. Scawfell Island is about 30 miles from Mackay, the closest mainland city, and is 'protected within' a national park, the study said. Previously, Hoskin also discovered a new species of gecko, which he described as a 'little dragon,' on Scawfell Island. 'The presence of two vertebrate endemics (native lizards) on Scawfell Island is exceptional' and 'highlights the conservation significance of this island,' he wrote. The new species of skink was identified by its DNA, scale pattern, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said.
