Ten new amphibian species discovered in Colombia.

[panamania79 2]

Ten new amphibian species discovered in Colombia

Buzz Up Send

Email IM Share

Digg Facebook Newsvine del.icio.us Reddit StumbleUpon Technorati Yahoo! Bookmarks Print By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent – Mon Feb 2, 1:52 pm ET Reuters – An undated handout image shows a glass frog of the Nymphargus genus, which is potentially new to science, … WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Ten new species of amphibians -- including three kinds of poisonous frogs and three transparent-skinned glass frogs -- have been discovered in the mountains of Colombia, conservationists said Monday.

With amphibians under threat around the globe, the discovery was an encouraging sign and reason to protect the area where they were found, said Robin Moore, an amphibian expert at the environmental group Conservation International.

The nine frog species and one salamander species were found in the mountainous Tacarcuna area of the Darien region near Colombia's border with Panama.

Because amphibians have permeable skin, they are exposed directly to the elements and can offer early warnings about the impact of environmental degradation and climate change, Moore said. As much as one-third of all amphibians in the world are threatened with extinction, he said.

"Amphibians are very sensitive to changes ... in the environment," Moore said in a telephone interview. "Amphibians are kind of a barometer in terms of responding to those changes and are likely to be the first to respond, so climate change ... impacts on amphibians heavily."

Amphibians also help control the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever, because they eat the insects that transmit these ailments to people.

The new species discovered in Colombia include three poison frogs, three glass frogs, one harlequin frog, two kinds of rain frogs and one salamander.

'NOAH'S ARK' IN COLOMBIA

The expedition that turned up the new amphibians also recorded the presence of large mammals like Baird's tapir, which is considered endangered in Colombia, four species of monkeys and a population of white-lipped peccary, a pig-like creature.

"Without a doubt this region is a true Noah's Ark," said Jose Vicente Rodriguez-Mahecha, the conservation group's scientific director in Colombia.

"The high number of new amphibian species found is a sign of hope, even with the serious threat of extinction that this animal group faces in many other regions of the country and the world," Rodriguez said in a statement.

The area where the new species were found has traditionally served as a place where plants and animals move between North and South America. While the terrain is relatively undisturbed now, its landscape faces threats from selective logging, cattle ranching, hunting, mining and habitat fragmentation.

Between 25 and 30 percent of the natural vegetation there is being deforested.

Moore said protecting the Tacarcuna area where these amphibians were found could also benefit local people by preserving an important watershed.

"We don't go in there and try and tell them to protect the forest for frogs," Moore said. "It's more a case of working with them to find more sustainable long-term solutions that will protect these resources that are ultimately benefiting them."

(Editing by David Storey)

Read Full ArticleRelated Searches:species of monkeys plants and animals habitat fragmentation Recommend 38 users recommend Buzz Up Send Email IM Share Digg Facebook Newsvine del.icio.us Reddit StumbleUpon Technorati Yahoo! Bookmarks Print More on Animals & Endangered Species

Whalers fire water at activists in Antarctic Ocean AP Japanese whalers accused of injuring activists AFP New species of babbler bird discovered in China AP More...

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

Whew! For a second there, I read "California". That would be all we need!

Way to go Colombia!

--Bullwinkle

Edited February 3, 2009 by Rocky_nBullwinkle

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Amphibians are the world's canary-in-a-coal-mine.

[Waldo 0]

I'd rather see more sp of fish.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd rather see more sp of fish.

Write a complaint to God.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Wow, all those new species in the middle of Manhattan? And Columbia isn't even that big

[HAL 9000 96]

Wow, all those new species in the middle of Manhattan? And Columbia isn't even that big

The article was actually about Columbia, Missouri.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

i thought this thread was posted by ken.

[Waldo 0]

I'd rather see more sp of fish.

Write a complaint to God.

Dear God. I know your busy and everything but I was wondering if instead of amphibians if we could get a species of trout that gets 6'. And also if you can stop letting the same teams win sporting events over and over again that would be cool too.

Yours truly Waldo... I'm right here!

[panamania79 2]

i thought this thread was posted by ken.

It's about frogs,not culos !

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd rather see more sp of fish.

Write a complaint to God.

Dear God. I know your busy and everything but I was wondering if instead of amphibians if we could get a species of trout that gets 6'. And also if you can stop letting the same teams win sporting events over and over again that would be cool too.

Yours truly Waldo... I'm right here!

That's a nice letter but I don't think God hangs out on VJ.

[Waldo 0]

I'd rather see more sp of fish.

Write a complaint to God.

Dear God. I know your busy and everything but I was wondering if instead of amphibians if we could get a species of trout that gets 6'. And also if you can stop letting the same teams win sporting events over and over again that would be cool too.

Yours truly Waldo... I'm right here!

That's a nice letter but I don't think God hangs out on VJ.

Can you forward it for me. I looked for God in my e-mail address book but it must have gotten lost.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd rather see more sp of fish.

Write a complaint to God.

Dear God. I know your busy and everything but I was wondering if instead of amphibians if we could get a species of trout that gets 6'. And also if you can stop letting the same teams win sporting events over and over again that would be cool too.

Yours truly Waldo... I'm right here!

That's a nice letter but I don't think God hangs out on VJ.

Can you forward it for me. I looked for God in my e-mail address book but it must have gotten lost.

If I gave it out to just anyone, he'd kill me. You have to get from him yourself.

[Waldo 0]

Fine Mr Fancypants. If you wont help me find God I'll just find someone who will

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

If I gave it out to just anyone, He'd kill me. You have to get from Him yourself.

Edited February 3, 2009 by Rocky_nBullwinkle