NYU Abu Dhabi researchers discover new frog species on remote Ethiopian mountain

February 12, 2019

In summer 2018, NYU Abu Dhabi Postdoctoral Associates Sandra Goutte and Jacobo Reyes-Velasco explored an isolated mountain in southwestern Ethiopia where some of the last primary forest of the country remains. Bibita Mountain was under the radars of the team for several years due to its isolation and because no other zoologist had ever explored it before.

"Untouched, isolated, and unexplored: it had all the elements to spike our interest," says Dr. Reyes-Velasco, who initiated the exploration of the mountain. "We tried to reach Bibita in a previous expedition in 2016 without success. Last summer, we used a different route that brought us to higher elevation," he added.

Their paper, published in ZooKeys journal, reports that the new, tiny frog, 17 mm for males and 20 mm for females, is unique among Ethiopian puddle frogs. Among other morphological features, a slender body with long legs, elongated fingers and toes, and a golden coloration, set this frog apart from its closest relatives. "When we looked at the frogs, it was obvious that we had found a new species, they look so different from any Ethiopian species we had ever seen before!" explains Dr. Goutte.

Back in NYU Abu Dhabi, the research team sequenced tissue samples from the new species and discovered that Phrynobatrachus bibita sp. nov. is genetically different from any frog species in the region.

More:
https://www.brightsurf.com/news/article/021219476108/nyu-abu-dhabi-researchers-discover-new-frog-species-on-remote-ethiopian-mountain.html







New frog species discovered on remote Ethiopian mountain
Joe MellorFebruary 12, 2019

A tiny new frog species has been discovered on a remote Ethiopian mountain.

Researchers found it while exploring an isolated mountain in south western Ethiopia where some of the last primary forest of the African country remains.

Bibita Mountain was under the radar for several years due to its isolation, and no zoologist had ever explored it before.

More:
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/new-frog-species-discovered-on-remote-ethiopian-mountain/12/02/