Latest news with #ShuoLiu
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.
Miami Herald
21-03-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Elusive striped creature — with disc toes — found for first time in Tibet. See it
A creature rarely seen since it was discovered more than 100 years ago was found for the first time — accidentally — in Tibet. Researchers conducting a survey of harmful forest pests recorded a single young Amolops himalayanus — a frog species previously only seen in India and Nepal, according to a study published March 14 in the peer-reviewed journal Biodiversity Data Journal. Amolops himalayanus, or the Himalayan frog, was first discovered in Darjeeling, India, in 1888 and has not been extensively studied, researchers said. 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. From this fortunate chance encounter, scientists were also able to capture the first 'reliable' photos of the species alive, according to the study. The young frog is described as having a green body with black spots, long 'yellowish-green' limbs with 'brown crossbars,' and a black stripe that runs from its snout to its ear through its eyes on both sides of its head, according to the study. The frog's fingers expand into grooved discs at the tips, researchers said. Researchers used genetic analysis to confirm the identity of the species, the study said. The frog was found in Yadong County in southeastern Tibet, an autonomous region controlled by China near a disputed China-India border. According to the study, 16 species of frogs in the Amolops genus are found in this region. The research team includes JiShan Wang, Shuo Liu, Hengying Wang, Mo Wang and Dingqi Rao.
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.
Miami Herald
05-03-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Color-changing creature found ‘calling in wet meadows' in China. It's a new species
In a national park of southern China, a color-changing creature with yellowy eyes sat in the damp grass and called out. The sound was likely intended to attract a mate, but attracted the attention of nearby scientists instead. The calling animal turned out to be a new species. Researchers hiked into the meadows of Nanshan National Park in 2024 to survey wildlife. They suspected the area's amphibian diversity 'might have been underestimated,' according to a study published Feb. 26 in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. During the visit, the team caught several vaguely familiar-looking frogs, the study said. But looks can be misleading, so researchers tested the frogs' DNA. Based on the results, they realized they'd discovered a 'cryptic' new species: Zhangixalus nanshanensis, or the Nanshan tree frog. Nanshan tree frogs are considered 'medium'-sized, reaching about 1.5 inches in length, the study said. They have 'robust' bodies with 'smooth' skin and 'long' legs. Their eyes are 'yellowish-brown,' and their fingers and toes have 'large discs' on the ends. Generally, the new species has a 'grass green' hue with 'some irregularly indigo blue patch(es),' the study said. Male frogs typically have 'yolk yellow' bellies, while females have cream bellies. However, the new species can change color from day to night and in different habitats, researchers said. Individual frogs also vary in color pattern. Nanshan tree frogs were found 'calling in wet meadows' near a pond at an elevation of about 5,800 feet, the study said. Researchers said they named the new species after Nanshan National Park where it was first discovered and, so far, the only place where it's been found. The park is in Hunan Province of southeastern China and a roughly 1,170-mile drive southwest from Beijing The new species was identified by its body proportions, coloring, finger and toe shape, head shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least about 2% genetic divergence from other related frog species. The research team included Yuanqiang Pan, Shuo Liu, Ju Chen and Guohua Yu. The team also discovered a second new species: the Daweishan tree frog.
