Cocoa Frog Among New Species Discovered in `Pristine` Ecosystem

Cocoa Frog Among New Species Discovered in 'Pristine' Ecosystem
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Cocoa Frog Among New Species Discovered in 'Pristine' Ecosystem
by Stephanie Pappas, Live Science Contributor | October 07, 2013 05:49pm ET
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Cocoa Frog Among New Species Discovered in 'Pristine' Ecosystem
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A chocolate-covered frog and one of the tiniest dung beetles ever
found are among the new species discovered during a survey of
what scientist called one of the most "pristine" environments left
on Earth.
The location? Southeastern Suriname, a dense South American
Eden for rain forest species . Scientists led by Conservation
International's Rapid Assessment Program spent three weeks in the
region in 2012, surveying animal and plant species and testing
water quality.
"I have conducted expeditions all over the world, but never have I
seen such beautiful, pristine forests so untouched by humans,"
expedition leader Leeanne Alonso, now with the organization
Global Wildlife Conservation, said in a statement. "Southern
Suriname is one of the last places on Earth where there is a large
expanse of pristine tropical forest." [See photos of the amazing
animals of the Suriname forests]
This sleek chocolate-colored "cocoa" frog (Hypsiboas sp.) may be new to science.
Credit: © Stuart V Nielsen, ONE-TIME-USE ONLY View full size image
New species
In that expanse, Alonso and her colleagues found 60 species that
are likely new to science. Among them was the cocoa frog, a tree-climber of the genus Hypsiboas named for its chocolate-colored skin. Researchers also
got out their magnifying glasses to uncover the Lilliputian beetle, a teeny-tiny insect measuring just 0.09 inches (2.3 millimeters) long. The antlered red
beetle is likely the second-smallest dung beetle species in South America, the researchers reported.
"Dung beetles play critical ecological roles that help support healthy ecosystems," Trond Larsen, the director of the Rapid Assessment Program, said in a
statement. "By burying dung, they regulate parasites and disease, disperse seeds and recycle nutrients to promote plant growth."
The expedition also turned up five other potentially new frog species, many insects and one snake. There were 11 unfamiliar fish species, including a new
tetra fish and several catfish, Conservation International reported. Several of the new insects were leggy katydids, most in shades of green. One of the
potentially new katydids seems to mimic a dead leaf with its curved torso and brown coloration.
While most katydids are herbivorous and feed on leaves, this species (Copiphora longicauda)
uses its powerful, sharp mandibles to prey upon insects and other invertebrates. It is a member
of the aptly named group of conehead katydids.
Credit: © Piotr Naskrecki, ONE-TIME-USE ONLYView full size image
No less impressive were the species already known to science recorded in the area. They include the pale pink worm lizard (Amphisbaena vanzolinii),
rarely seen aboveground, and the brightly-colored tiger leg monkey frog (Phyllomedusa tomopterna), which earns its moniker from its orange-and-black
underbelly and limbs.
Scientists even lent one species a helping hand: When a juvenile dusky parrot (Pionus fuscus) fell into the river, they fished the bird out and let it dry at
their camp. After a few hearty meals, the yellow-beaked parrot headed back into the forest.
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Cocoa Frog Among New Species Discovered in 'Pristine' Ecosystem
http://www.livescience.com/40240-new-species-discovered-sur...
An important ecosystem
Southeastern Suriname is important above and beyond its role as a biodiversity hotspot, the scientists found. The mountainous region holds the
headwaters of Suriname's largest rivers, making it key for sustainable drinking water, agriculture and energy production. Scientists predict the region will
be resilient to climate change even as other areas of Suriname dry out with warming, leaving the southeastern area as a crucial water resource.
"In a planet on track to surpass nine billion people by mid-century, we are going to need every drop of fresh water we can get," John Goedschalk, the
executive director of Conservation International Suriname, said in a statement.
The Conservation International team found that water quality was high in the region's upper Palumeu River watershed, where they surveyed four sites.
Despite the absence of mining in the region, however, some water samples contained unsafe levels of mercury. The toxic element is likely blowing in
from mining operations in neighboring countries, Larsen said.
Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter and Google+. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on LiveScience.
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Author Bio
Stephanie Pappas
Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science. She covers the world of human and animal behavior, as well as paleontology and other
science topics. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication
from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has ducked under a glacier in Switzerland and poked hot lava with a stick in Hawaii. Stephanie hails
from East Tennessee, the global center for salamander diversity. Follow Stephanie on Google+.
Stephanie Pappas on
2 Comments
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Dorothy McHale
A naturally chocolate-covered frog tastes like frog or chocolate or?
PS
Kumiko's type of parrot eat frogs in the wild.....
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2 · Oct 13, 2013 8:53am
Sandra Herring
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LOL, r u going to feed Kumiko tiny choco-covered frogs for dessert? LOL
Like · Reply ·
1 · Oct 13, 2013 9:51am · Edited
Dorothy McHale
Sandra Herring No frogs in the house currently, but I do have a can of snails –
seriously, snails!
Somebody misunderstood me as a vegetarian meant and gave me a can of
escargo; been here for months, so maybe I'll look up snail desserts for
Epicurean macaw or some such thing
Like · Reply ·
1 · Oct 13, 2013 10:07am
Sri Sriskanda · Batticaloa
Most Popular
They are still discovering new species of ambiphians.
Like · Reply · Oct 9, 2013 6:36am
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