New species include a camouflaged gecko, a fanged frog and a fish called the Henamo grunter, named because it makes grunting noises from its swim bladder.
Posted on 09/07/2009 11:36:01 AM PDT by NYer
A lost world populated by fanged frogs, grunting fish and tiny bear-like creatures has been discovered in a remote volcanic crater on the Pacific island of Papua New Guinea.
A team of scientists from Britain, the United States and Papua New Guinea found more than 40 previously unidentified species when they climbed into the kilometre-deep crater of Mount Bosavi and explored a pristine jungle habitat teeming with life that has evolved in isolation since the volcano last erupted 200,000 years ago. In a remarkably rich haul from just five weeks of exploration, the biologists discovered 16 frogs which have never before been recorded by science, at least three new fish, a new bat and a giant rat, which may turn out to be the biggest in the world.
The discoveries are being seen as fresh evidence of the richness of the world's rainforests and the explorers hope their finds will add weight to calls for international action to prevent the demise of similar ecosystems. They said Papua New Guinea's rainforest is currently being destroyed at the rate of 3.5% a year.
"It was mind-blowing to be there and it is clearly time we pulled our finger out and decided these habitats are worth us saving," said Dr George McGavin who headed the expedition.
The team of biologists included experts from Oxford University, the London Zoo and the Smithsonian Institution and are believed to be the first scientists to enter the mountainous Bosavi crater. They were joined by members of the BBC Natural History Unit which filmed the expedition for a three-part documentary which starts tomorrow night.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
New species include a camouflaged gecko, a fanged frog and a fish called the Henamo grunter, named because it makes grunting noises from its swim bladder.
I just watched the movie “Arachnophobia” in which deadly spiders are found in a remote jungle. Makes you wonder what else is out there.
Pinging the “Giant Rat of Sumatra” *ping* list...
Fanged Frogs is a good name for a rock band.
lol.
Just what we need, more rats.
The Daily Kos is hosted in Papua?
Obscured by Clouds...Pink Floyd
Who’s behind is the Giant Rat of Sumatra?
Has it been named yet? Seems a perfect opportunity to "honor" Ted Kennedy, previously the biggest rat in the world.
Shave 'em and put 'em Barbie clothes!
R.O.U.S.’s?
A striped possum, found by Muse Opiang and Gordon Buchanan, an animal which lets out a strong odour as a defence mechanism Photograph: Ulla Lohmann/BBC
Note to self...stay the hell out of Papua New Guinea!
They found a fire swamp?
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