Latest news with #ZooKeys
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Translucent' creature with ‘oral tentacles' found off China coast is new species
Off the east coast of China, researchers discovered an unusual spiky creature feeding on a jellyfish-like species called a hydroid. In recent years, similar specimens were recorded in that region of the Yellow Sea, but never identified. Now, researchers have confirmed all 10 creatures belonged to a new species of sea slug, according to a study published June 18 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. Pseudobornella qingdaoensis, or the Qingdao sea slug, is described as being about an inch and a half long, which researchers called 'large.' Its body is 'translucent yellow to dark brown, with numerous scattered orange to brown spots and white blotches,' according to the study. It has a 'wide' pale pink foot and four to five 'oral tentacles,' or sensory appendages, used for food foraging, according to researchers. The species is distinct for its 'remarkably' long sheath covering its sensory nose-like organs called rhinophores, researchers said. It is the first species in the Pseudobornella genus discovered in 93 years, according to the study. The Qingdao sea slug is currently only known from the Yellow Sea, but may also be present in the waters off Japan, the study said. The species was discovered in Qingdao in China's Shandong Province, a 405-mile drive southeast from Beijing. The research team included Shuqian Zhang and Juhao Wang.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
River creature — with more than 100 teeth — found as new species in Zimbabwe
In the highland rivers of Zimbabwe, researchers stretched a weighted net across the fast-flowing water. Then they headed upstream, dropped a probe in the water and turned on the electricity. The practice, called electrofishing, is common among fish researchers, or ichthyologists. It works by shocking and immobilizing fish species that then float down the river and get caught in the outstretched net. The researchers were collecting the highland fish as part of academic surveys in 2013, 2014 and 2022 in the Buzi and Pungwe river systems, according to a study published June 16 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. The surveys paid off — identifying two species new to science. Two species of suckermouth catfish were collected in the researchers' nets, according to the study, and their unique characteristics combined with genetic analysis proved their place as new species. The first species, Chiloglanis asperocutis, or the 'rough skin' suckermouth catfish, stands out from other species with its ridged body and high number of teeth, researchers said. The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the species, is about 2.5 inches long and found in the Honde River, according to the study. The species has anywhere from 68 to 128 teeth at the front of the upper jaw, while other related species found in southern Africa 'consistently have fewer than 68,' according to the study. The body of the fish is described as 'elongate' with 'numerous tubercles spread across (its) body' that form 'distinct ridge like structures' and give the skin a 'rough' texture, researchers said. The species was named for this trait, combining the Latin words 'aspero,' meaning rough, and 'cutis, meaning skin, according to the study. The fish is generally brown with varying shades and blotches, researchers said. In life, the pale brown sections of the fish are actually a 'golden color.' The rough skin suckermouth lives 'in rocky habitats with fast flowing water,' with their mouths on the bottom of their heads as a way of attaching themselves to wood, rocks or other surfaces, or to eat algae. The second new species, Chiloglanis compactus, was named for its smaller size, according to the study. Also known as the dwarf suckermouth catfish, the species is the smallest of all related species found in southern Africa at just 1.7 inches long, according to the study. Its body is 'short and rotund' with a 'relatively big' head and between 31 and 53 upper jaw teeth, researchers said. Some of the fish are 'very dark' with clear patterns, while others are lighter, according to the study. 'This species occurred at multiple localities in the Pungwe and Buzi river systems with the majority of the collections occurring at high elevation,' researchers said. Like the rough skin suckermouth, the dwarf suckermouth 'occurs in rocky habitats with fast flowing water,' however, 'its diet was not examined,' according to the study. Both species were found in eastern Zimbabwe, a country in southeastern Africa. The research team includes Tadiwa I. Mutizwa, Taurai Bere, Wilbert T. Kadye, Pedro H. N. Bragança and Albert Chakona.
Miami Herald
13-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Long'-tailed creature found hiding in fallen log at night. It's a new species
As night settled over a forest in Malaysia, a 'long'-tailed creature emerged from its hiding place. Its 'large' mosaic-like eyes scanned the dark landscape, but it wasn't the only one looking around. Passing scientists found the lurking animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers hiked into the forests of Thailand and Malaysia over several years to document the rich biodiversity, according to a study published June 12 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. During their visits, researchers found dozens of lizards with various white-striped patterns, the study said. Initially, the team identified the lizards as a known species of gecko found on some Malaysian islands — until they looked closer. The mainland geckos had subtle but significant differences in appearance and DNA when compared to the island geckos, the study said. Researchers realized they'd discovered a new species: Cyrtodactylus peninsularis, or the peninsula bent-toed gecko. Peninsula bent-toed geckos have 'long' bodies and 'long' tails, reaching over 10 inches in length overall, the study said. Their heads are 'triangular' and 'somewhat flattened' with 'large' eyes. Their fingers and toes are 'bent' and have 'well-developed' claws. Photos show the 'extremely variable' pattern of the new species, which 'essentially defies a concise meaningful description.' Peninsula bent-toed geckos generally have white stripes criss-crossing their bodies and forming a network-like pattern on their heads. Some geckos have yellow-ish markings. Overall, their colors vary from light brown to dark brown to reddish brown to almost black, photos show. Peninsula bent-toed geckos are nocturnal, climbing lizards, the study said. They are 'relatively common' and live in forests at elevations of up to about 2,600 feet. They were 'usually seen climbing on tree trunks, branches, exposed roots, and fallen logs where there are nearby crevices and holes into which they can quickly retreat when threatened.' Researchers sometimes found several lizards 'on the same large tree' at heights of up to 16 feet off the ground, the study said. Researchers said they named the new species after the Latin word for peninsula because it is found on 'the Thai-Malay Peninsula of southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore.' The new species was identified by its DNA, body proportions, size, scale pattern, texture, pores and other subtle physical features, the study said. The research team included L. Lee Grismer, Amanda Kaatz, Jesse Grismer, Eddie Nguyen, Jeren Gregory, Perry Wood Jr., Matthew Murdoch, Shahrul Anuar, Chan Kin Onn, Muhamad Muin, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Nikolay Poyarkov and Evan Quah.
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Large' venomous creature — with babies on back — is new species in Thailand
Motherhood looks different for animals around the world. Frog mothers lay eggs and never see their young grow, while elephants have live births, then stay with their young for more than a decade. For one group of mothers in the forests of Doi Phu Kha National Park, their babies hang around — and use mom's body for a free ride. Scorpiops doiphukha, or the Doi Phu Kha scorpion, was recently discovered as a new species in Thailand's northern mountains, according to a study published June 12 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. 'The scorpions were primarily observed hiding within rock crevices on rock walls and were exclusively found at night in ambush positions, waiting for potential prey to crawl near their hiding spots,' researchers said. 'Juvenile specimens were often found outside these crevices, crawling on rock and soil walls, frequently near the refuges of adult individuals.' These predators are about 2.5 inches long, considered 'large' compared to other species in the same genus, according to the study. Females of the species are 'yellowish brown' while males are more 'reddish brown,' researchers said. Their legs and telson, or the stinger on the end of the tail, are also yellowish brown, with the legs 'intensely spotted.' There is significant sexual dimorphism, or physical traits that differ between males and females, according to the study. Males have 'markedly elongated' pedpalps, the large leg-like appendages that appear like pincers on scorpions. In an image taken by researchers, a female Doi Phu Kha scorpion was seen carrying a mass of 'pre-juveniles' on her back, their bright white bodies in stark contrast to her brown body and the forest floor. '(The new species) is endemic to the hill evergreen forests of Doi Phu Kha National Park in Nan Province, Thailand, at approximately (5,000 feet) above sea level. These forests are characterized by dense vegetation, cooler temperatures (especially during dry season), and high humidity, creating an ideal microhabitat for the species,' according to the study. Scorpions are not insects but are arachnids like spiders, mites and ticks. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, and are most common in arid regions, according to National Geographic. The predators use their pincers to grab prey before using their telson to stab their meal, injecting the prey with venom, National Geographic says. Doi Phu Kha National Park is near the northern border of Thailand, just southwest of Laos. The research team includes Eric Ythier, Ondřej Košulič, Wasin Nawanetiwong and Wilson R. Lourenço.
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Large' creature with spines on its belly found at waterfall. It's a new species
As night settled across northern Vietnam, a 'large' creature with spines on its belly sat near a waterfall. Its 'dark green' eyes scanned the surrounding forest, but it wasn't the only one looking around. Visiting scientists spotted the 'stout' animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers hiked into the forests of three provinces in Vietnam several times between 2012 and 2021 to survey wildlife, according to a study published June 5 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. During their searches, researchers found several vaguely familiar-looking frogs, the study said. When they took a closer look at the animals and analyzed their DNA, the team noticed several distinctive features and realized they'd discovered a new species: Quasipaa ohlerae, or Ohler's spiny frog. Ohler's spiny frogs are considered 'large,' reaching over 4 inches in length, the study said. Their bodies are 'very stout' with 'rough' skin, 'short' arms and 'swollen' toes. Their 'enlarged' heads have 'dark green' eyes and a heart-shaped tongue. Photos show the new species. Seen from above, the frog is dark brown with pale brown stripes on its limbs. Seen from below, its belly is 'immaculate white' with 'black spines' on its upper chest, throat and arms, the study said. Ohler's spiny frogs were found at night in forests around 'the headwaters of rocky streams,' either 'in the water or on the ground of stream banks,' researchers said. Female frogs had 'yellowish cream eggs.' Researchers said they named the new species after 'colleague and friend' Annemarie Ohler, 'in recognition of her great contributions towards a better understanding of the amphibian systematics of the Indochinese region.' So far, Ohler's spiny frogs have been found in the three nearby provinces of Nghe An, Son La and Thanh Hoa in northern Vietnam along the border with Laos, the study said. The new species may also live in Laos, Thailand and China. The new species was identified by its size, skin texture, belly spines, coloring, eyes, toe shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least about 3% genetic divergence from other related species. The research team included Cuong The Pham, Chung Van Hoang, Tien Quang Phan, Anh Van Pham, An Vinh Ong, Vien Hong Thi Nguyen, Thomas Ziegler and Truong Quang Nguyen. The team also discovered a second new species: Binh's spiny frog.
