Pregnant creature — with ‘tangerine’ bumps — found near rocky stream. See new species
Deep in the forest of China’s Damingshan National Nature Reserve, scientists conduct regular surveys of wildlife. During one such survey, they discovered nine unusual specimens in their collection — they were a new species.
Scientists thought they were collecting Leptobrachella damingshanensis, a species of toad, but some of the creatures they found were bigger and had a different color pattern, according to a study published Sept. 1 in ZooKeys.
Instead, experts had actually found a new species of toad, which they identified as Leptobrachella wumingensis, or the Wuming Leaf Litter Toad. Between 2019 and 2023, researchers collected three adult males and six females, the study said.
Scientists said the toads are “medium” in size. Females collected from the forest were between 1.2 inches and 1.37 inches while male specimens measured between 1.02 inches and 1.05 inches.
The creatures have rough, pale brown skin with unique markings, including irregular dark brown markings, an inverted triangle shape between the eyes and a “Λ” marking on their back, the study said.
On their sides, the toads have “five irregular black spots” and several tangerine tubercles or bumps, researchers said. Their bellies are covered with “tiny creamy white spots” and their throats are white with brown spots.
Experts noted that the creature has bi-colored irises. The top half of their eyes are copper which fades to silver in the lower half.
The toads have a blunt, rounded snout which slightly protrudes above their jaw, scientists said. Their head is about as long as it is wide.
Researchers said the species also has two distinct advertising calls, which distinguish them from other, similar species.
The calls were heard among rocks in the forest in mid-April, and that same month females collected were found carrying eggs, according to the study. Females collected in June did not have eggs, indicating that breeding takes place between April and May.
The species is found in evergreen forests in the Damingshan National Nature Reserve, specifically near a rocky stream. Scientists said they have explored over 10 similar rocky streams but have not found any other sites where the species lives, making the discovered population “very rare.”
Experts said they named the species after the region where it is found, in the Wuming District, which is in southern China.
This story was originally published September 6, 2023 at 8:39 AM with the headline "Pregnant creature — with ‘tangerine’ bumps — found near rocky stream. See new species."
