Current:Home > MyNew frog species with "groins of fire" discovered in Amazon with colors that resemble flames-InfoLens
New frog species with "groins of fire" discovered in Amazon with colors that resemble flames
View Date:2024-12-23 12:08:10
Germán Chávez is no stranger to the Amazon rain forest, where he says "one can't help but get excited" by all the reptiles and amphibians that he has made a career out of studying. But when he came across one frog, all he could think was "Bloody hell!"
It all happened when he went to the Amazon lowlands in central Peru with fellow researcher Wilmar Aznaran. The area is frequented often, he said, which made them both "quite surprised and kind of speechless" when they came across a new frog species, which he said in a blog post is "clearly different from any other similar species."
"That was evident for us at the very moment we caught it," he said. "...We could not believe that a medium-sized arboreal frog had passed in front of other researchers' eyes, and remained unseen."
They soon realized the frog before them "is not a common species in the area." They were only able to find two of the frogs, even after going back to the site a few months after the original encounter.
"At that point, we knew that we had a new species on (our) hands, but describing it with only two specimens was challenging," Chávez said in his blog post.
Eventually, they got some other team members on board so they could further conduct their study, published in Evolutionary Systematics earlier this month. They found the frogs have orange patterns on their groins, thighs and shanks that "resembles flames," Chávez said – just "like those threatening its habitat." This led to the determination of its name, Scinax pyroinguinis, which translates to "groins of fire."
Wildfires are a "serious threat" to their habitat, as the flames continue to threaten the Amazon rainforest at large.
In September, the rainforest had its worst months for fires in more than 10 years, according to the Associated Press, citing national Brazil data. During that month, the media outlet reported that there were more than 42,000 fires within 30 days. Those fires destroyed 434 square miles of rainforest the outlet reported, an area more than 100 square miles bigger than New York City.
- In:
- Amazon
- Peru
- Wildfire
- frogs
Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.
veryGood! (858)
Related
- Veterans Day restaurant deals 2024: More than 80 discounts, including free meals
- Franz Beckenbauer, World Cup winner for Germany as both player and coach, dies at 78
- Video appears to show the Israeli army shot 3 Palestinians, killing 1, without provocation
- China says it will launch its next lunar explorer in the first half of this year
- Traveling to Las Vegas? Here Are the Best Black Friday Hotel Deals
- Can my employer use my photos to promote its website without my permission? Ask HR
- This Amika Hair Mask Is So Good My Brother Steals It From Me
- Three-strikes proposal part of sweeping anti-crime bill unveiled by House Republicans in Kentucky
- After Baltimore mass shooting, neighborhood goes full year with no homicides
- Gov. Kristi Noem touts South Dakota’s workforce recruitment effort
Ranking
- Caitlin Clark's gold Nike golf shoes turn heads at The Annika LPGA pro-am
- USDA estimates 21 million kids will get summer food benefits through new program in 2024
- 25 years of 'The Sopranos': Here's where to watch every episode in 25 seconds
- Spotify streams of Michigan fight song 'The Victors' spike with Wolverines' national championship
- 'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
- What does 'highkey' mean? Get to know the Gen-Z lingo and how to use it.
- Flying on United or Alaska Airlines after their Boeing 737 Max 9 jets were grounded? Here's what to know.
- Franz Beckenbauer, World Cup winner for Germany as both player and coach, dies at 78
Recommendation
-
US Diplomats Notch a Win on Climate Super Pollutants With Help From the Private Sector
-
Shanna Moakler Accuses Ex Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian of Parenting Alienation
-
The Pope wants surrogacy banned. Here's why one advocate says that's misguided
-
Miami Dolphins sign Justin Houston and Bruce Irvin, adding depth to injured linebacker group
-
As the transition unfolds, Trump eyes one of his favorite targets: US intelligence
-
California lawmakers to consider ban on tackle football for kids under 12
-
A judge has temporarily halted enforcement of an Ohio law limiting kids’ use of social media
-
As DeSantis and Haley face off in Iowa GOP debate, urgency could spark fireworks
Like
- Kansas basketball vs Michigan State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Champions Classic
- Boeing supplier that made Alaska Airline's door plug was warned of defects with other parts, lawsuit claims
- Virginia General Assembly set to open 2024 session with Democrats in full control of the Capitol