Photos: Bubble-nest Frog, Other "Extinct" Species Found

Dehradun Stream Frog

Photograph courtesy S.D. Biju, Lost Frogs/Conservation International

Rediscovered recently in India, the Dehradun stream frog (recently pictured) was previously known from only a single specimen found in 1985.

The overall lack of rediscoveries during the recent campaign should "sound an urgent wake-up call for countries, and prompt coordinated efforts to prevent further declines in the populations" of amphibians, Moore said in a statement.

"This is a reminder that we are in the midst of what is being called the Sixth Great Extinction, with species disappearing at a hundred to a thousand times the historic rate—and amphibians are really at the forefront of this extinction wave."

(See "Thirty Amphibian Species Wiped Out in Panama Forest.")

Published February 17, 2011

Anamalai Dot-frog

Photograph courtesy S.D. Biju, Lost Frogs/Conservation International

The Anamalai dot-frog, recently spotted by Indian scientists, was first named in 1937, after the Anamalai Hills habitat in western India.

The narrow-mouthed frog calls loudly from marshy areas during the monsoon season but hides the rest of the year under stones and logs on the forest floor, conservationists say.

More species surprises awaited scientists roaming Haiti's shrinking forests. There, a team rediscovered six species not on the project's list of a hundred "wanted" lost frog species. (See photos: "Six Long-Lost Haitian Frog Species Found.")

Published February 17, 2011

Rio Pescado Stubfoot Toad

Photograph courtesy Eduardo Toral-Contreras, Lost Frogs/Conservation International

Scientists only uncovered one amphibian species in the top ten list: Ecuador's Rio Pescado stubfoot toad (pictured on October).

Last seen in 1995, the "striking" toad was thought extinct due to the deadly chytrid fungus that has killed off many amphibians worldwide, conservationists say.

That's because stubfoot toads—or harlequin toads—have been hit particularly hard by the fungus and other factors linked to amphibian decline. Only a few species remain in the group.

Though its rediscovery is "encouraging," the Rio Pescado toad certainly isn't out of the woods, experts say: It likely lives in only small pockets of unprotected land in southwestern Ecuador.

(See related pictures: "'Mr. Burns' Toad, More New Amphibians Found.")

Published February 17, 2011

Chalazodes Bubble-nest Frog

Photograph courtesy S.D. Biju, Lost Frogs/Conservation International

The colorful Chalazodes bubble-nest frog, missing since 1874, was found recently in India (pictured).

"I have never seen a frog with such brilliant colors in my 25 years of research," SD Biju, of the University of Delhi, said in a statement.

"It has an unusual combination of fluorescent green dorsum, ash blue thighs, and patchy yellow eyes," said Biju, who organized the Lost! Amphibians of India campaign to find 50 species thought to be extinct—an independent companion of the global Conservation International project.

The Indian campaign found five lost amphibian species in just a few months. "I feel assured that these rediscoveries will infuse more enthusiasm in our pursuit of the remaining 45 'lost' amphibians" on the Indian group's list, Biju said. "Our hunt has just begun, and it is a good start."

(See picture: "Mouse Rides Frog in India Monsoon.")

Published February 17, 2011

Silent Valley Tropical Frog

Photograph courtesy S.D. Biju, Lost Frogs/Conservation International

Scooped out of a field station trash can in India, the Silent Valley tropical frog (pictured recently) had last been seen about 30 years ago.

An Indian team later found a few more specimens under leaf litter in forests within the Kunthi River watershed.

Overall, Conservation International's Moore said, "we need to turn these discoveries and rediscoveries into an opportunity to stem the [extinction] crisis."

That means "focusing on protecting one of the most vulnerable groups of animals and their critical habitats."

(See pictures: "'Extinct' Frogs, Salamander Found.")

Published February 17, 2011