Scientists find new species in Papua New Guinea

Tecnos · 03-26-2009, 02:55 AM

By KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press Writer Kristen Gelineau, Associated Press Writer – Wed Mar 25, 7:30 am ET

A brilliant green tree frog with huge black eyes, jumping spiders and a striped gecko are among more than 50 new animal species scientists have discovered in a remote, mountainous region of Papua New Guinea.

The discoveries were announced Wednesday by Washington D.C.-based Conservation International, which spent the past several months analyzing more than 600 animal species the group found during its expedition to the South Pacific island nation in July and August.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/...ea_new_species

And These are the Pictures......

A Litoria frog, which uses a loud ringing song to call for a mate, was one of the new species of frog found. During the survey more than 600 species were documented over a number of different taxonomic groups including amphibians, mammals, birds, reptiles, plants, and invertebrates. Of the discoveries made, a large number of species were found to be potentially new to science, and of these many are now being published and given scientific names

A jumping spider species new to science, Tabuina varirata was found on a conifer tree in a rainforest clearing. Wayne Maddison, a researcher at the University of British Columbia who contributed to the research, said three of the 50 new spider varieties discovered were particularly special. "They are strikingly distinctive evolutionary lineages that had been unknown before, with a group that is already very distinctive on the evolutionary tree of jumping spiders. Their key position on the evolutionary tree will help us understand how this unique group of jumping spider has evolved"

Orthrus, a jumping spider species potentially new to science. New Guinea, an island north of Australia that is split between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, has proven a rich hunting ground for biologists.

A third new jumping spider species, Uroballus, found in the rainforest. Conservation International, based in Washington DC, America, says it has previously found more than 600 new species elsewhere on the island of New Guinea.

The Cyrtodactylus bent-toed gecko is another species believed to be new to science.

This Oreophryne is an as yet undescribed species of microhylid frog which has a sharp chirping call. Believed to be new to science, it was discovered in limestone hills in Papua New Guinea's highland wilderness.

A large tree frog, Nyctimystes, with enormous eyes, was discovered by scientists next to a clear-running mountain river .

Truthed · 03-26-2009, 03:38 AM

It is crazy that they are still discovering new species every day yes people think it is CRAZY to even contemplate the idea of something like bigfoot, lochness or chupacabra.

I think there is so much out there to still be discovered even though most the people in the world seem the believe there is nothing left to discover/explore. Thanks for the article!

kidflash2008 · 03-26-2009, 10:36 AM

There are still vast areas of this planet that have not been explored on the ground by humans. It is inhospitable to us, but many creatures do thrive in those areas. The discoveries prove there is much more on our own planet.

ZERO HOUR · 03-26-2009, 10:45 AM

Yea i saw something about this in time magazine a while back when i find the link i'll post it.

I think its funny how we can doubt Big Foot or The lochness monster but yet we find new species evryday.

kidflash2008 · 03-26-2009, 11:22 AM

I would also agree that Sasquatch, the Puerto Rican version of Chupacabra (the Texas one is a dog) and sea creatures are possibly a reality. On Nessie, I don't think the food chain could support a group of beasts, but am still open to one or two beasts finding their way to the area.

okirun · 03-28-2009, 02:14 PM

Less than 1% of the ocean has been searched; theres bound to be a sea monster in there.

03-26-2009, 02:55 AM	#1
Tecnos Investigator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: UK Posts: 419	Scientists find new species in Papua New Guinea By KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press Writer Kristen Gelineau, Associated Press Writer – Wed Mar 25, 7:30 am ET A brilliant green tree frog with huge black eyes, jumping spiders and a striped gecko are among more than 50 new animal species scientists have discovered in a remote, mountainous region of Papua New Guinea. The discoveries were announced Wednesday by Washington D.C.-based Conservation International, which spent the past several months analyzing more than 600 animal species the group found during its expedition to the South Pacific island nation in July and August. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/...ea_new_species And These are the Pictures...... A Litoria frog, which uses a loud ringing song to call for a mate, was one of the new species of frog found. During the survey more than 600 species were documented over a number of different taxonomic groups including amphibians, mammals, birds, reptiles, plants, and invertebrates. Of the discoveries made, a large number of species were found to be potentially new to science, and of these many are now being published and given scientific names A jumping spider species new to science, Tabuina varirata was found on a conifer tree in a rainforest clearing. Wayne Maddison, a researcher at the University of British Columbia who contributed to the research, said three of the 50 new spider varieties discovered were particularly special. "They are strikingly distinctive evolutionary lineages that had been unknown before, with a group that is already very distinctive on the evolutionary tree of jumping spiders. Their key position on the evolutionary tree will help us understand how this unique group of jumping spider has evolved" Orthrus, a jumping spider species potentially new to science. New Guinea, an island north of Australia that is split between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, has proven a rich hunting ground for biologists. A third new jumping spider species, Uroballus, found in the rainforest. Conservation International, based in Washington DC, America, says it has previously found more than 600 new species elsewhere on the island of New Guinea. The Cyrtodactylus bent-toed gecko is another species believed to be new to science. This Oreophryne is an as yet undescribed species of microhylid frog which has a sharp chirping call. Believed to be new to science, it was discovered in limestone hills in Papua New Guinea's highland wilderness. A large tree frog, Nyctimystes, with enormous eyes, was discovered by scientists next to a clear-running mountain river . __________________ Last edited by Tecnos; 03-26-2009 at 02:59 AM.

03-26-2009, 03:38 AM	#2
Truthed Administrator Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,079	It is crazy that they are still discovering new species every day yes people think it is CRAZY to even contemplate the idea of something like bigfoot, lochness or chupacabra. I think there is so much out there to still be discovered even though most the people in the world seem the believe there is nothing left to discover/explore. Thanks for the article! __________________ "You Want To Believe" http://www.truthed.com truthed@truthed.com

03-28-2009, 02:14 PM	#6
okirun Investigator Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 230	Less than 1% of the ocean has been searched; theres bound to be a sea monster in there. __________________ "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether this happens at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps on learning not only remains young, but becomes constantly more valuable regardless of physical capacity."

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03-26-2009, 10:36 AM	#3
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	There are still vast areas of this planet that have not been explored on the ground by humans. It is inhospitable to us, but many creatures do thrive in those areas. The discoveries prove there is much more on our own planet.

03-26-2009, 10:45 AM	#4
ZERO HOUR Junior Investigator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: East Coast Posts: 19	Yea i saw something about this in time magazine a while back when i find the link i'll post it. I think its funny how we can doubt Big Foot or The lochness monster but yet we find new species evryday.

03-26-2009, 11:22 AM	#5
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	I would also agree that Sasquatch, the Puerto Rican version of Chupacabra (the Texas one is a dog) and sea creatures are possibly a reality. On Nessie, I don't think the food chain could support a group of beasts, but am still open to one or two beasts finding their way to the area.