Eight new frog species were discovered in Laos by GC Scientists working in conjunction with the World Conservation Society (WCS). Among these species is a male that is half the size of the female frog, and another, which has a row of spines running down its belly. Bryan Stuart, whose team made the discoveries, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that researches on amphibians and reptiles have not been taken seriously. He also said that the amphibian fauna of Laos is much poorly understood compared with the other species of frog in the neighboring countries. He affirmed that every field trip made by the team has yielded species unknown to science. The frogs are the latest new species to come out of the tiny, landlocked Asian country. Many are found in Laotian forests, largely unexplored by outsiders because of the geographic remoteness and the country’s history of political turmoil. The scientists discovered last year, a rat-like rodent locally called “kha-nyou”, with a face of a rat and the body of a skinny squirrel which was thought to have died 11 million years ago. Mr. Stuart also said that why these species are still in existence is because of its intact forests. This has spurred the Government of the region to protect its forests better.
Tags: World Conservation Society, GC Scientists, New Frog Species, Amphibian Fauna
Leave Your Comments Below