Latest news with #ZooKeys
Miami Herald
9 hours ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Lake creatures — with hatched babies in their mouth — are new species. See them
In Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake in the world, rocky outcrops provide a home for freshwater snails. It's also where they are hunted. The lake covers land in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in eastern Africa, and the southern end is now home to two newly discovered species of 'snail crushers.' Six species of Labrochromis, a genus of mollusk-eating cichlid fishes, have been identified in Lake Victoria before, but none from the areas of the lake marked by rocky shores and reefs, according to a June 5 study published in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. Using gill nets between 1993 and 2010, researchers searched around Python Island, Kissenda Island and Makobe Island within the lake, and found two species of cichlid that looked different than ones found in other parts of Lake Victoria, according to the study. They were described as two new species — Labrochromis mawe and Labrochromis mawepili. Labrochromis mawe, or the stone snail-crusher is a 'large growing robust and deep-bodied species with a blunt and wide head,' researchers said. They have two rows of teeth, with an outer pointy row and a smaller inner row, according to the study. The fish also have 'strongly enlarged' pharyngeal teeth, a set of teeth that sit inside the throat on the pharyngeal bone and are used for food processing and breaking down hard material like snail shells. Males and females of the species have 'broad vertical bars' of color on their sides, or flanks, researchers said. Male stone snail-crushers exhibit 'nuptial color polymorphism,' or bright colors on the body that only show during mating season, according to the study. The fish have two color morphs, either 'entirely blue on the flanks' or 'reddish' on the head with yellowish and grey coloration on other parts of the body, researchers said. 'The species inhabits moderately steep to steep slopes, with medium sized to very large rock boulders,' researchers said. 'Subadult individuals are commonly caught in shallow inshore waters between rock boulders while adults inhabit greater depths.' Stone snail-crushers, like all other Labrochromis found in Lake Victoria, are known as 'mouthbrooding care giver(s),' meaning the females of the species hold their eggs in their mouths until they hatch, according to the study. This practice provides the hatched larvae 'with a safe and nurturing environment until the larvae have resorbed the yolk sac and develop into independent, free-swimming juveniles,' researchers said. The second new species, Labrochromis mawepili, is similar to L. mawe. The 'species name mawepili, from Swahili, mawe means stone and pili means second,' researchers said. It 'refers to (the) similarity in habitat association between this species and L. mawe and the superficial resemblance with the latter.' But, the second stone snail-crusher is found in a different region of the lake, according to the study. 'Both adults and subadults exhibit a broken dorso lateral and broken mid-lateral bands, together with the 4 vertical bars creating a broken chessboard pattern,' researchers said. 'The broken chessboard pattern is more prominent in females and subadult males.' Males of this species also exhibit different colors during mating season, in this case 'metallic blueish' and 'purplish' or grey with 'red streaks.' The fish have the same breeding practice as L. mawe, and other species in their genus. 'Labrochromis mawe sp. nov. and L. mawepili sp. nov. are unique among described Labrochromis species in their tight association with rocky habitats, a feature not observed in other described Labrochromis species,' researchers said. 'Additionally, these newly described species exhibit smaller eyes than all previously described species, probably because they live in better illuminated habitat(s).' The new species were found in the Tanzania region of Lake Victoria, in east-central Africa. The research team includes Anna Mahulu and Ole Seehausen.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Pregnant creature with ‘large' golden eyes found in Cambodia. It's a new species
On a rock formation in western Cambodia, a pregnant creature with a 'long' tail went about its afternoon. Its 'large' golden eyes scanned the surrounding landscape, but it wasn't the only one looking around. Passing scientists noticed the patterned animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers visited several 'unexplored' rock formations in Banan District in March 2024 to survey amphibians and reptiles, according to a study published June 4 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. The team suspected these hills might hold thus far undocumented biodiversity, and they were right. During their surveys, researchers found dozens of unfamiliar-looking lizards, the study said. Intrigued, they took a closer look at the animals, analyzed their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Cyrtodactylus kampingpoiensis, or the Kamping Poi bent-toed gecko. Kamping Poi bent-toed geckos have 'long' bodies and 'long' tails, reaching about 7 inches in total length, the study said. Their heads are 'somewhat flattened' with 'large' golden eyes. Their fingers and toes are 'bent' with 'well-developed' claws. Photos show the brown coloring of the new species, which varies in hue and detail but has a relatively consistent pattern. Dark brown bands run across its back, each one 'slightly wavy-edged' and lined 'with bright-white' bumps, researchers said. Some geckos have higher contrast in their coloring, while others appear more faded. Some geckos have an almost black and white pattern on their tails, photos show. Kamping Poi bent-toed geckos live on rocky karst hills at elevations of around 300 to 800 feet, the study said. The geckos were found on rocks, in or around caves, at the bases of trees and on the ground. During their visits, researchers saw young geckos, or hatchlings, fully grown adult geckos and a few pregnant geckos, indicating the new species breeds in March. Researchers said they named the new species after Phnom Kamping Poi, the rocky hill where it was first discovered. Kamping Poi bent-toed geckos were found at four nearby but isolated hills in the Banan District, the study said. These four populations showed some variation in looks and had minor DNA differences, but researchers concluded they weren't quite unique enough to be described as separate species. Banan District is in western Cambodia and near the border with Thailand. Cambodia also borders Laos and Vietnam. The new species was identified by its scale pattern, size, body proportions, toe shape, finger pads, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 5% genetic divergence from other related species. The research team included Evan Quah, L. Lee Grismer, Pablo Sinovas, Phyroum Chourn, Sophea Chhin, Seiha Hun, Anthony Cobos, Peter Geissler, Christian Ching, Matthew Murdoch, Sothearen Thi, Jeren Gregory, Eddie Nguyen, Alexis Hernandez, Amanda Kaatz and Jesse Grismer.
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Large'-eyed river creature with ‘sickle shaped' mouth discovered as new species
In a river of South Africa, a patterned creature with a 'sickle shaped' mouth swam through the 'dark peat-stained' waters. Its 'large' eyes scanned its surroundings and noticed something unusual coming toward it. Scientists scooped up the scaly animal with a net — and discovered a new species. Researchers visited several rivers in the Outeniqua mountains between 2023 and 2024 to survey aquatic life, according to a study published May 28 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. Using a net, they caught almost 200 fish, studied and photographed them, then released all but about 20 fish. Previous scientists had encountered these 'speckled' fish and analyzed their DNA. Building off this research, the team examined its catch and realized it had discovered a new species: Pseudobarbus outeniqua, or the forest redfin minnow. Forest redfins have 'elongate' bodies, reaching over 3 inches in length, the study said. Their 'large' heads have a 'blunt' snout, 'large' eyes and 'sickle shaped' mouth with a pair of 'long' whisker-like barbels. Photos show the 'golden-tan' hue of the new species. Each of its scales has a 'darkly pigmented' center, giving it a 'distinctive speckled hen pattern,' researchers said. At the base of each fin is a 'bright scarlet' spot. Much about the lifestyle of forest redfins remains unknown, the study said. The fish seems 'relatively abundant' and was found in 'forest streams' around plants and rocks. Researchers said they named the new species after 'the Outeniqua mountain range' because it lives in 'streams draining (from the mountain's) southern slopes.' So far, forest redfin minnows have been found at roughly 16 locations along the southwestern coast of South Africa, the study said. Researchers considered the new species to be at-risk and 'threatened by invasive alien fish species, excessive water abstraction, increased sedimentation from forestry activities and pollution resulting from urban development and expansion.' The new species was identified by its DNA, preferred habitat, coloring, scale pattern, barbels, head shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. The research team included Fatah Zarei, Pedro Bragança, Paul Skelton and Albert Chakona.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Shining' creature with ‘flat' back found at hotel in Laos. It's a new species
As a rainstorm passed over a hotel in a small town of Laos, a 'shining' creature with a 'flat' back emerged from its hiding place and crawled up a tree trunk. Something about it caught the attention of returning scientists — and for good reason. It turned out to be a new species. A team of researchers spent four years traveling the Southeast Asian country of Laos and surveying millipedes, according to a study published May 16 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. During a field trip in 2017, researchers returned to 'Phu Thevada Hotel in the evening following a rainfall, after a full day of collecting' specimens, the study said. To their surprise, 'the rainfall prompted millipedes and land snails to emerge.' Researchers collected dozens of millipedes from the ground and trees around the hotel. They took a closer look at the animals and realized they'd discovered a new species: Touranella srisonchaii, or Srisonchai's flat-back millipede. Srisonchai's flat-back millipedes can reach out about an inch in length, the study said. Their 'smooth and shining' bodies have 20 segments and 'moderately long' antennae. Photos show the black millipede and its 'pale yellowish' legs. Researchers said they named the new species after Ruttapon Srisonchai, a millipede researcher at Khon Kaen University, 'who has not only contributed to the study of millipede taxonomy in Thailand, but also collected the type series of this new species.' So far, Srisonchai's flat-back millipedes have only been found around Phu Thevada Hotel in Paksong, a city in southern Laos, a landlocked country bordering Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Phu Thevada Hotel shared a photo of the hotel building in a 2010 Facebook post. Much about the lifestyle and behavior of Srisonchai's flat-back millipedes remains unknown. The new species was identified by its genitalia and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not include a DNA analysis of the new species. The research team included Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei Golovatch, Khamla Inkhavilay, Somsak Panha and Chirasak Sutcharit. The team also discovered two more new species of flat-back millipede, including one at an ancient Hindu temple.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Two new poisonous frog species discovered: Scientists issue warning
Image credits: X/@ehehe__he, @HerpsInTheNews In a shocking and intriguing discovery, two new species of poison dart frogs have been identified by scientists in the remote Brazilian Amazon , highlighting how little is truly known about the biodiversity in the rainforest. The discoveries were published in ZooKeys and PLOS One, revealing that these species are in the genus Ranitomeya, which hasn't been seen for more than a decade. The journey towards a discovery Reaching the newly discovered frogs required a challenging journey which began with a small plane flight followed by a 10-hour boat ride in the Juruá River, near the Brazil-Peru border. Identifying these frogs required more effort than just visual inspection, as they are nearly identical. 'Very distinct species can have the same appearance: the same colours and the same pattern,' explained Koch. He added that the situation is further complicated because 'sometimes a single species can have multiple patterns of colour.' Thus, to confirm their findings, scientists performed genetic sequencing, detailed morphological measurements under microscopes and acoustic analyses of mating calls. According to the results, both species occupy different branches on the evolutionary tree, confirming they are separate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo Ranitomeya Aquamarina Image credits: X/@ehehe__he The first species, Ranitomeya Aquamarina, also known as the "metallic poison frog", is notable for its unique turquoise stripes against a jet-black body. These frogs often appear in pairs, indicating a monogamy that is rare in amphibians. They tend to stay together for long periods, which is not typical for dart frogs. Ranitomeya Aetherea Image credits: X/@HerpsInTheNews The second species is called Ranitomeya aetherea, known for its sky blue stripes on a brick red body. Both species measure roughly about 15 to 17 millimetres, about the diameter of a dime, making them among the tiniest poison dart frogs ever documented. Unlike the species above, the Ranitomeya aetherea males are typically solitary and engage in frequent advertising calls to attract females, who don't stay in one spot for long. While these discoveries mark a significant addition in the identification of rare Amazon species, their existence is threatened by the rapid deforestation being carried out in the area. Since they are found in small volumes in areas just a few miles apart, they are vulnerable, and their exact conservation status still remains unknown.
