Latest news with #Litoria
Miami Herald
21-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Creature discovered near waterfall on perilous island mountain is a new species
In 1991, researchers made an 'extremely steep and rugged' trek up one of Papua New Guinea's tallest mountains to survey wildlife in this rarely seen and poorly understood landscape. As they scoured the area, researchers turned over several rocks in the 'splash zone' of a waterfall on Mount Capella in the Star Mountains to reveal several unusual frogs, according to a study published July 15 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. They collected three specimens and continued with their work. Despite days and nights of searching the surrounding forest and shallow pools — all while avoiding dangerous hidden sinkholes — the frogs were found nowhere else except the stream at the base of the waterfall, researchers said. Now, nearly 35 years after the creatures were discovered, researchers have confirmed the frogs represent a new species called Litoria stellarum, or the Star Mountains torrent tree frog. The new species is described as being medium-sized at just over an inch and a half, with a 'robust' body and long toes that extend into a disc-shape at their tips. Its body is mostly brown with patches of light green. It also has silver irises flecked with brown, researchers said. Based on the species' size, snout shape, 'reduced webbing on hands, and ecology,' researchers said they are confident the new species is closely related to other local stream-breeding Litoria species, particularly Litoria becki. The Star Mountains torrent tree frog is the third species of frog found only in the very limited 'microhabitat' in 'the high elevations in the Star Mountains,' according to researchers. The Star Mountains torrent tree frog was discovered near the Dokfuma Meadow, a 'boggy' alpine meadow dominated by ferns, moss mounds and wet mossy alpine forests, according to the study. The new species is adapted to cold conditions, with temperatures at the time of its discovery ranging between 33 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. In New Guinea, areas roughly 10,000 feet above seal level 'are typically not suitable for agriculture and are sparsely inhabited, so direct habitat loss is unlikely to be a major threat,' researchers said. However, as the global climate warms, mountain species that have adjusted to colder temperatures will eventually run out of 'upslope' habitat to migrate to as their old environments become uninhabitable, researchers said. Researchers said additional study is needed to better understand the species' ecology and potential threats in order to estimate its conservation status. It is currently listed as 'data deficient' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, according to the study. Additional field studies, however, may prove difficult, according to researchers. 'It is unlikely that this remote region will be accessible again in the near future because there are no roads or airstrips in the vicinity.' The Star Mountains are on the western border of Papua New Guinea. The research team included Stephen J. Richards, Gregory R. Johnston and Paul M. Oliver.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
This snake eats its mate after having sex; 7 other animals that do the same
Nature can be both beautiful and brutal. In some corners of the animal kingdom, love and death go hand in hand—quite literally. There are several species where one partner, usually the female, ends up eating the other after or even during mating. This behaviour, known as sexual cannibalism, might sound shocking, but it serves surprising purposes—from nutrition to ensuring successful reproduction. Let's look at some of the animals that practise this deadly ritual. Sexual cannibalism is well-documented among praying mantises. Females may consume males during or after mating, a behaviour observed both in captivity and in the wild. Studies suggest that this act can increase a female's reproductive success by providing additional nutrients. Female redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) frequently engage in sexual cannibalism. Males often somersault into the female's mouthparts during mating, facilitating their own consumption. This self-sacrificial behavior increases the duration of copulation and the likelihood of successful fertilization. While the term 'black widow' suggests habitual mate consumption, this behaviour varies among species. In North American species like Latrodectus hesperus, sexual cannibalism is rare in natural settings and more commonly observed in laboratory conditions. Thus, while it can occur, it's not a consistent behaviour across all black widow species. Male blue-lined octopuses (Hapalochlaena fasciata) have developed a unique strategy to avoid being eaten by larger, potentially cannibalistic females. They inject a potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, into the female during mating, temporarily paralysing her and preventing cannibalism. In this species, males risk being consumed by females during mating. To mitigate this, males wrap the female's legs with silk to immobilize her, reducing the chance of cannibalism. This behavior is a documented self-defense mechanism during copulation. Sexual cannibalism in crab spiders is moderately common. Older males are more susceptible to being attacked and consumed by females, especially later in the mating season when female aggression increases. Wikipedia Recent observations have documented instances where female green and golden bell frogs (Litoria aurea) attempt to consume male suitors after mating. This behaviour, captured on video, suggests that sexual cannibalism may occur in this species, although it appears to be rare. Female green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) have been observed consuming males after mating. This behaviour is believed to provide the female with additional nutrients necessary for gestation, although detailed studies are limited.
