More Than 50 New Species - Frogs, Spiders, A Lizard - Identified In Papua Rain Forest - Independent

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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 yesterday by the Washington-based Conservation International, which has spent the past several months analysing more than 600 animal species the group found during an expedition to the South Pacific island in July and August.

Of the animals discovered, 50 spider species, three frogs and a gecko appear to have never been described in scientific literature before, the conservation group said. The new frogs include a tiny brown animal with a sharp chirp, a bug-eyed bright green tree frog and another frog with a loud ringing call. One of the jumping spiders is shiny and pale green, while another is furry and brown. "If you're finding things that are that big and that spectacular that are new, that's really an indication that there's a lot out there that we don't know about," said expedition leader Steve Richards. "It never ceases to amaze me the spectacular things that are turning up from that island."

The findings are significant, particularly the discovery of the new frog species, said Craig Franklin, a zoology professor at the University of Queensland who studies frogs. "They're often regarded as a great bioindicator of environmental health," said Mr Franklin, who was not involved in the expedition. "Often we see declines in frogs as a direct pointer to an affected environment."

EDIT

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/spiders-and-frogs-identified-among-50-new-species-1654296.html

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1. BBC has pix! (link)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/sci_nat_png0s_new_treasures/html/1.stm