Latest news with #HonBa
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
From Roman shafts to island mud: Take a look at 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 being 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'-eyed creature found lurking in ancient Roman mine. It's a new species In the ancient Roman mine underneath Carmona, Spain, researchers discovered a new species of isopod named Baeticoniscus carmonaensis, or the Carmona isopod. This tiny crustacean, with its segmented body and 'large' black eyes, was found on decomposing wood within the mine's aqueducts. | Published May 19 | Read More | 'Fighting' fish that survives drought by hiding in the mud is new rare species On Sumatra Island, researchers identified a new species of betta fish called Betta iaspis, found in a forest peat swamp. This fish, with its reddish-brown head and iridescent blue patches, survives droughts by hiding in moist mud. Researchers proposed that the species should be listed as critically endangered due to its limited habitat threatened by human activities. | Published May 16 | Read More | Black-eyed mountain creature found under debris in Vietnam. It's a new species On Hon Ba Mountain in Vietnam, scientists discovered a new species of lizard, the Hon Ba ground skink, or Scincella honbaensis. This small skink, with its slender body and pointed snout, was found under tile debris in an evergreen forest. | Published May 16 | Read More | 'Toxic'-skinned creature with 'large' hands discovered as new species in Brazil In the Amazon rainforest's Juruá River basin, researchers found a new species of frog named Ranitomeya aetherea, or the heavenly poison dart frog. This small frog, with its 'toxic skin' and vibrant blue stripes, was discovered in palm plants. The species is active mostly in the early morning and late afternoon. | Published May 15 | Read More | Pregnant creature found in 'rotting leaves' on Vietnam peak. It's a new species On Tà Cú Mountain in Vietnam, a new species of lizard, the orange-tailed ground skink, or Scincella auranticaudata, was discovered. This medium-sized skink, with its vibrant orange tail and robust body, was found among rotting leaves in an evergreen forest. | Published May 16 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery and sightings of unusual and intriguing species. Check back for the latest stories.
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Pregnant creature found in ‘rotting leaves' on Vietnam peak. It's a new species
As night stretched across a mountain in southern Vietnam, a pregnant creature waited under some 'rotting leaves.' But its hiding place wasn't hidden enough. Visiting scientists found the 'orange-tailed' animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers trekked up Tà Cú Mountain several times between 2018 and 2020 to search for wildlife. The 'isolated mountain' was already known to have three native species of lizard, so the team suspected it might have even more biodiversity, according to a study published May 14 in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Taxonomy. During their night hikes, researchers spotted some orange tails peeking out from the bushes and found several unfamiliar-looking lizards. They took a closer look at the lizards, tested their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Scincella auranticaudata, or the orange-tailed ground skink. Orange-tailed ground skinks are considered 'medium'-sized, reaching about 6 inches in length, the study said. They have 'robust' bodies with 'short' snouts and yellow-tinged eyes. Photos show the coloring of the new species. Its upper body has a mixture of brown and bright orange becoming more brown toward the middle of its body then fading to pale orange on its tail. Some 'large black spots' also run down its back. Seen from below, it has a 'pink' and 'yellowish' belly. Researchers said they named the new species after the Latin words for 'orange-colored' and 'tail' because of its vibrant tail. Orange-tailed ground skinks were found at night 'on the ground among rotting leaves in evergreen forest on a mountain slope' at elevations of about 1,700 feet, researchers said. Two female skinks were found pregnant. Much about the lifestyle of orange-tailed ground skinks remains unknown. So far, the new species has only been found on Tà Cú Mountain, also spelled Ta Kou Mountain, in Bình Thuận Province of southern Vietnam and a roughly 105-mile drive east from Ho Chi Minh City. A 2021 YouTube video shared by 24 Go Somewhere shows a hike up Tà Cú Mountain. The new species was identified by its size, scale pattern, finger and toe shape, genitalia, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 9% genetic divergence from other related species. The research team included Sang Ngoc Nguyen, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Manh Van Le, Vu Dang Hoang Nguyen, Khanh Duy Phan, Thi-Dieu-Hien Vo, Robert Murphy and Jing Che. The team also discovered a second new species: the Hon Ba ground skink.
