Pictures: See-Through Frog, Other "Lost" Species Found

High-Altitude Amphibian

Photograph courtesy Eli Greenbaum

The Chrysobatrachus cupreonitens frog species was found in high-altitude, flooded grasslands of the Itombwe Plateau in southeastern DRC.

About a third of the world's amphibian species are either extinct or close to dying out, according to expedition leader Greenbaum. That's why his team's efforts offer a "glimmer of hope."

"This is important for the sake of conservation on a global scale," he said in a statement.

"Amphibians are like the canaries in the coal mine. If they go, we're next—and they're not doing too good."

(Read about vanishing amphibians in National Geographic magazine.)

Published May 17, 2011

Fingernail-Size Frog

Photograph courtesy Eli Greenbaum

Scientists discovered the fingernail-size Arthroleptis pyrrhoscelis frog at about 6,600 feet (2,000 meters) high on the Itombwe Plateau.

Eggs of frogs of the Arthroleptis genus hatch directly into froglets, bypassing the tadpole stage, according to Greenbaum's website.

(See pictures: "Pea-Size Frog Found—Among World's Smallest.")

It's not for nothing that DRC forests were little explored for so long. Since about 1960 frequent warfare has kept many scientists out of the country. Likewise, dangerously poor roads, rudimentary health facilities, and land mines make research difficult, Greenbaum said by email.

During Greenbaum's last expedition, he walked 100 miles (160 kilometers) through the mountains and contracted dengue fever.

Published May 17, 2011

Forest Survivor

Photograph courtesy Eli Greenbaum

The team discovered the frog species Hyperolius chrysogaster (pictured) in its only known habitat—the relatively healthy forests of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, in eastern DRC.

Other eastern forests in the country are being destroyed to make way for agricultural use, endangering frogs, mountain gorillas, and other animals, according to Greenbaum's website.

(See "Marijuana Trade Threatens African Gorilla Refuge.")

Published May 17, 2011

Puddle Frog Makes a Splash

Photograph courtesy Eli Greenbaum

As far as African puddle frogs go, the rediscovered species Phrynobatrachus asper is relatively hefty.

"The legs have so much meat on them that this species was rediscovered in 2009 when villagers on the Itombwe Plateau offered to sell their frog dinner to the scientists!" Greenbaum said on his website.

This led the search team to a living Phrynobatrachus asper, found in one of the plateau's forest streams—the species' preferred habitat.

(See pictures: "New Species Found in 'Lost World': Pinocchio Frog, More.")

Published May 17, 2011