Latest news with #ZoosystematicsandEvolution
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
‘Large'-eyed river creature with bumpy lips discovered as a new species in China
In a river of southern China, an 'elongated' creature with pink fins swam through the waters. Its 'large' eyes scanned the watery world, but it wasn't the only one looking around. Passing scientists caught the aquatic animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers visited several streams in Guangxi province in 2005 and 2024 as part of a project to survey aquatic ecosystems, according to a study published June 2 in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. During their surveys, researchers found several 'unique'-looking fish, the study said. They took a closer look at the fish, analyzed its DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Traccatichthys punctulatus, or the spotted stone loach. Spotted stone loaches have 'elongated' bodies, reaching about 3 inches in length, the study said. They are 'completely covered with small scales and embedded under (the) skin.' Their heads have 'blunt' snouts, bumpy lips, 'large' eyes and whisker-like barbels. A photo shows the yellow-gray coloring of the new species. Its fins are 'pale pink,' and its sides have 'bright green stripes.' Researchers said they named the new species after the Latin word for ''spot' or 'point'' because of the 'numerous spots' along its body. Much about the lifestyle of spotted stone loaches remains unknown. So far, spotted stone loaches have only been found 'in streams on the western slope of Dayao mountains in Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County,' a region of Guangxi province in southern China The new species was identified by its DNA, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. The research team included Zhi-Xian Qin, Jia-Jun Zhou, Li-Na Du and Feng Lin.
Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
New tube-nosed species discovered in a remote forest on ‘the roof of the world'
In a forest bordering a remote town in Tibet, in an area referred to as 'the roof of the world,' researchers captured seven bats that looked unlike any they had seen before. Five of the seven specimens, caught in the forest canopy using no-harm harp traps, were members of a new species called Murina chayuensis, according to a May 28 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. Murina chayuensis, or the Chayu tube-nosed bat, is a medium-sized species with distinct tube-shaped nostrils, a common feature among members of the Murina genus, according to the study. The new species is described as having tan fur with reddish-brown and golden sections and a forearm length of just under an inch and a half, the study said. Researchers said the other two of the seven bats they captured may each represent a new species, but due to a limited number of specimens, they were not included in the study. The bats was discovered in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a long 'understudied' region, characterized by 'deeply cut valleys' and diverse climates that harbor complex ecosystems, researchers said, adding that their 'results highlight the overlooked diversity of bats' in the region. So far, the Chayu tube-nosed bat has only been found in Xiachayu Town, Chayu County, Xizang, China. Chayu County is in southeastern Tibet, an autonomous region controlled by China, and near a disputed China-India border. The research team included Pengfei Luo, Mingle Mao, Chengrui Yan, Qingqing He, Qin Yang, Huaiqing Deng, Ning Xiao and Jiang Zhou.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Fluorescent creature — found lurking near power plants — is new species in Andes
In the Maule Valley of the southern Andes Mountains, a river cuts through the landscape and ebbs and flows around the peaks. The water provides life for the region, not only for the local creatures, but for agriculture and hydropower. Now, researchers searching along the shores of the Cipreses River of Chile in the heart of the valley have discovered a fluorescent animal — and a new species. Using ultraviolet lights, researchers scanned the ground at night looking for animals glowing back at them, according to a study published May 21 in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. On the ground were scorpions, light in color, but armed with a stinger, according to the study. They were different from other scorpions seen before and are now described as a species new to science. Brachistosternus pehuenche, or the Pehuenche scorpion, is about 2 inches long and honors the indigenous Pehuenche people and the Pehuenche International Pass between Argentina and Chile where the species was found, researchers said. The scorpions have a 'yellowish' base color with darker brown pigmentation on portions of the body, according to the study. The pedipalps, or pincer-like appendages, have 'elongated' fingers with slightly darkened ends, photos show. The scorpion's telson, or stinger, sits on the end of the tail-like structure, sharpened to a point. The Pehuenche scorpion has only been found in a very small region of the upper Maule Valley, researchers said, while other related species have been found in neighboring areas. The landscape has a high elevation with shrubs and woodlands, and the scorpions were active in the spring and summer months, according to the study. The scorpions are considered a common predator for 'epigean arthropods,' or land-dwelling animals like insects, spiders and crustaceans, researchers said. 'This region harbors a unique combination of habitats that sustain a wealth of endemic species yet faces escalating anthropogenic pressures,' researchers said. 'Key threats include agricultural expansion, hydropower development and the construction of international transit routes, all of which contribute to the fragmentation and degradation of its fragile ecosystems.' The Maule Valley is in central Chile. The research team includes Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro, Fermín M. Alfaro, Hernán A. Iuri, Bernardino Camousseigt-Montolivo and Jaime Pizarro-Araya.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Large'-eyed creature with ‘slender' toes found lurking. It's a new species
World 'Large'-eyed creature with 'slender' toes found lurking. It's a new species Scientists found a 'large'-eyed creature with 'slender' toes lurking in rock formations in China and discovered a new species, a study said. Photo from Han-Ming Song via Song, Qi, Wang, Gong, Liu and Wang (2025) A nighttime storm rolled across southern China, dumping rain on some rock formations and drawing a 'long'-legged creature out of its hiding place. A beam of light cut through the dark and it tried to jump away. Visiting scientists caught the 'large'-eyed animal — and discovered a new species. Researchers hiked into the rocky karst forests of Guangdong province in May 2024 to survey wildlife. The area sat within 'one of the largest and most biodiverse' karst landscapes, but its diversity had gone 'significantly underestimated,' according to a study published May 7 in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. During some of the rainy night hikes, researchers found several unfamiliar-looking frogs and, after taking a closer look, realized they'd discovered a new species: Odorrana calciphila, or the limestone odorous frog. A male (top) and female (bottom) Odorrana calciphila, or limestone odorous frog. Photos from Han-Ming Song via Song, Qi, Wang, Gong, Liu and Wang (2025) Limestone odorous frogs are considered 'small,' reaching less than 2 inches in length, the study said. Their 'flat' heads have 'large,' black eyes with 'golden speckles' and 'obtuse' snouts. Their skin is 'relatively smooth' with some 'tiny flat' bumps, forming a 'worm-like texture.' They have 'long' legs with 'slender' toes. Photos show the varied coloring of the new species. The frogs are generally brown 'with a scattering of irregular moss-like green speckles,' researchers said. Seen from below, they have pinkish bellies and 'pinkish-purple' thighs. The underside of an Odorrana calciphila, or limestone odorous frog. Photo from Han-Ming Song via Song, Qi, Wang, Gong, Liu and Wang (2025) One limestone odorous frog had some 'abnormal' bumps on its stomach, likely 'caused by disease such as the parasitic infection,' the study said and a photo shows. The new species 'only appeared on the completely dark and heavily rainy nights and rapidly jumped away as soon as they were exposed to flashlights,' researchers said. 'This behaviour may imply that this species is accustomed to the moist and low-light environment,' such as underground caves. Several Odorrana calciphila, or limestone odorous frogs. Photos from Han-Ming Song and Yong-Heng Zhu via Song, Qi, Wang, Gong, Liu and Wang (2025) Limestone odorous frogs were found in 'damp limestone formations' within the forest at elevations of about 1,000 feet, the study said. Researchers said they named the new species 'calciphila' after the Latin words for 'karstic' and 'beloved' because of its 'characteristic of inhabiting the karst landscapes.' So far, limestone odorous frogs have only been found in two sites in neighboring counties of Guangdong Province, a region of southern China. The new species was identified by its finger size and shape, body size, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. A DNA analysis found the new species had at least about 4% genetic divergence from related frog species. The research team included Han-Ming Song, Shuo Qi, Hao-Tian Wang, Yue-Ning Gong, Yang Liu and Ying-Yong Wang. Aspen Pflughoeft McClatchy DC Go to X Email this person Aspen Pflughoeft covers real-time news for McClatchy. She is a graduate of Minerva University where she studied communications, history, and international politics. Previously, she reported for Deseret News.
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Rainbow' creature — that lives inside crickets — found as new species in China
World 'Rainbow' creature — that lives inside crickets — found as new species in China In a karst cave in China, a rainbow-like parasitic creature was discovered as a new species. Francesco Ungaro via Unsplash Relationships between living things can take many forms. Bees get nectar from flowers while acting as pollinators in a process called mutualism. Whales are covered in barnacles that don't hurt the massive animals but allow the barnacles to feed, a commensal relationship. But sometimes, like a tick on a dog, one animal takes advantage of another — a parasite. More than a decade ago, a professor in China exploring a karst cave discovered five small white horsehair worms, a parasitic animal, but lost the specimens, according to a study published May 5 in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. It would be another five years before the worms were found again in 2019, this time collected and their genetics analyzed, according to the study. 'During the fieldwork, we focused on examining water pits and their surroundings inside caves, carefully turning over stones,' researchers said. 'All living worms were placed in water bottles filled with a small amount of water and transported back to the laboratory for further study. The worms were placed in a dark box designed to simulate the cave environment, with the temperature maintained at approximately (60 degrees Fahrenheit).' Some of the worms were found as 'free-living' animals, meaning they were on their own either in the water or hidden under the rocks, according to the study. Free-living worms were found in the small puddles in the caves, researchers said. Zou Y-Z, Huang J, Xiang H-Y, Li S, Tang Y, Liu Z-X (2025) Zoosystematics and Evolution Others, however, were found inside another animal. The worms emerged from the bodies of Tachycines, a group of cave-dwelling crickets, according to the study. When researchers looked at the morphology, or physical attributes of the worms, and the phylogeny, or genetic history, they realized it was a species new to science. Gordius wulingensis, or the Wuling Mountains horsehair worm, range in size from about 3.8 to 11.2 inches long for males and 5.7 to 29.3 inches for females, according to the study. One end is 'columnar and spherical,' with a 'nearly transparent' white layer underneath the skin separating the internal structures from the outside, researchers said. 'All specimens exhibit a rainbow-like reflection on the skin, white body color, lacking of a dark-brown collar,' according to the study. The worms are reflective with a rainbow-like coloration, researchers said. Zou Y-Z, Huang J, Xiang H-Y, Li S, Tang Y, Liu Z-X (2025) Zoosystematics and Evolution The worms were found in multiple karstic caves in the Wuling Mountain area, a region in Hunan, China, according to the study. 'This species is usually observed in puddles, beneath stones, or sometimes on the moist soil of the caves,' researchers said. 'Occasionally, they are found on the cave walls at elevations exceeding (3.2 feet) above ground level.' Horsehair worms, also called Gordian worms, develop in the bodies of grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches and some beetle species, according to the University of Kentucky. They do not infect humans, livestock or pets, and are considered harmless. The worms also live inside the cave's crickets, researchers said. Zou Y-Z, Huang J, Xiang H-Y, Li S, Tang Y, Liu Z-X (2025) Zoosystematics and Evolution Hunan is an inland province in southeastern China. The research team includes Ya-Zhen Zou, Jie Huang, Hai-Yang Xiang, Shi Li, Yan Tang and Zhi-Xiao Liu. Irene Wright McClatchy DC Email this person Irene Wright is a McClatchy Real-Time reporter. She earned a B.A. in ecology and an M.A. in health and medical journalism from the University of Georgia and is now based in Atlanta. Irene previously worked as a business reporter at The Dallas Morning News.
