A research team discovers seven new species of tree frogs in Madagascar. Their unusual whistling sounds inspire names from a television series.
Madagascar – It is common for newly discovered animal species to be named by their discoverers. Sometimes these names are quite unusual. This was also the case with a group of researchers in Madagascar who discovered seven new species of tree frogs and gave them prominent names.
Researchers find seven unknown animals in Madagascar with strange sounds
An international team of researchers, led by Miguel Vences from the Technical University of Braunschweig, set off into the rainforests of Madagascar to research unknown animal species. The team particularly noticed the seven species of tree frogs discovered there because of their unusual sounds, which differ greatly from the familiar quacking sounds that many people in Germany know.
The tree frogs instead produced a unique, high-frequency whistling sound. This sound reminded the researchers of sound effects from the popular TV series Star Trek, as the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt announced. Therefore, the newly discovered tree frog species of the genus Boophis were named after the well-known captains of the Star Trek crews: Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer, Burnham and Pike. German Researchers discovered a new animal species this year in the Gulf of Mexico.
Until now, discovered frogs have always been confused
The researchers also had a theory for the unusual sounds made by tree frog species. They are sure that the male frogs use these sounds to try to impress females and win them as partners. To find the frogs, the research team had to venture into the most mountainous regions of Madagascar, where the frogs live along fast-flowing waters. The loudness there could explain why the frogs call in such high tones.
Although the frog species found are considered new discoveries, they have previously been confused with known, similar species due to their appearance. However, the researchers were able to distinguish them from other frog species because of their unique series of high-pitched whistles. Madagascar is known for its diversity of frog species. Almost nine percent of all frog species in the world live on the island off the southeastern coast of Africa. One student even discovered a new species of dinosaur. (rd/afp)
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