Latest news with #ErmiZhao
Miami Herald
14-03-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Deep-sea worms waiting in ambush and reptiles lurking on walking trails: See 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 of the best new discoveries: Deep-sea creature — waiting in 'glass sponges' to ambush — is new species in Pacific Off the southern coast of Japan, a new species of marine bristle worm, Eunice siphoninsidiator, was discovered living within the structure of glass sponges. These tube ambushing worms were found at depths of around 3,720 feet, showcasing iridescent bodies and dark brown mandibles. The discovery marks the first documented case of a eunicid inhabiting deep-sea sponges. | Published March 7 | Read More | 2-foot-long predator — with 'mesh pattern' on its eyes — discovered as new species In the Yuanyang Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve of southern China, researchers discovered a new species of pit viper named Ovophis zhaoermii. These 'slender' vipers, with their distinctive mesh-patterned eyes, were found beside streams at night. The species is named in honor of the late Ermi Zhao, a renowned Chinese herpetologist. | Published March 7 | Read More | 'Large'-eyed sea creature — with 'canine-like' teeth — discovered as new species In the South Pacific Ocean, a bright red sea creature known as Sebastapistes monospina, or the tropical single-spined scorpionfish, was identified as a new species. Found in shallow coral and rocky reef environments, these fish have 'large' eyes and sharp, 'canine-like' teeth. The species was discovered by re-examining old scorpionfish specimens collected in the 1970s. | Published March 10 | Read More | 'Long'-limbed creature with 'bent' toes found on walking trail. It's a new species In central Nepal, scientists identified a new species called Cyrtodactylus chitwanensis, or the Chitwan bent-toed gecko, during their wildlife survey. Found on rocks and in caves at night, these geckos have 'slender' bodies and 'long' limbs, with distinctive yellow-brown coloring. The species was named after the Chitwan District, one of the areas where it was found. | Published March 11 | Read More | 'Long'-fingered creature found lurking on walking trail in Nepal. It's a new species In the Manaslu Conservation Area of northern Nepal, researchers discovered a new species of gecko named Cyrtodactylus karanshahi, or Karan's bent-toed gecko. This 'medium-sized' gecko, with its 'slender' body and 'long' fingers, was found during a nighttime hike along a walking trail. The gecko's unique features and genetic divergence from related species led to its classification as a new species. | Published March 12 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of the most unusual and intriguing new species. Check back for the latest studies.
Miami Herald
07-03-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
2-foot-long predator — with ‘mesh pattern' on its eyes — discovered as new species
As night fell across southern China, a 2-foot-long creature emerged from its hiding place and moved toward a stream. Its 'mesh'-patterned eyes scanned the mountainous landscape — but it wasn't the only one looking around. Nearby scientists spotted the 'slender' predator — and discovered a new species. Researchers hiked into the mountains of Yuanyang Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve several times between 2023 and 2024 to survey wildlife, according to a study published March 6 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. During their nighttime searches, the team found four unfamiliar-looking snakes, the study said. They took a closer look at the snakes and quickly realized they'd discovered a new species: Ovophis zhaoermii, or the Guanyinshan mountain pit viper. Guanyinshan mountain pit vipers have 'slender' bodies, reaching over 2 feet in length, the study said. Their heads are 'pear shaped' with 'small' eyes covered in a 'black mesh pattern.' Their 'short' tails have a 'series of white spots.' Photos show how the new species' coloring varies from dark brownish black to light brown. Irregular black patches run down the snakes' backs. Pit vipers are generally venomous, but researchers did not provide details on the venom of the new species. Guanyinshan mountain pit vipers were found 'on the ground beside a stream at night' at elevations of about 7,900 feet, the study said. The snakes are predators, likely feeding 'on frogs in the wild.' Researchers said they named the new species 'zhaoermii' after the late Ermi Zhao, a Chinese professor and scientist, for 'his great contribution to herpetological research in China, especially in snake research.' The new species' common name refers to the Yuanyang Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve where it was first discovered and, so far, the only place where it has been found. The park is in Yunnan Province of southern China and near the border with Vietnam and Laos. The new species was identified by its body proportions, scale pattern, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 4% genetic divergence from other related snake species. The research team included Shuo Liu, Mian Hou, Mingzhong Mo, Mei Li, Biao Li, Xiong Luo, Dingqi Rao and Song Li.
