23 July 2021 - MOUSE DEER DISCOVERED IN VIETNAM

 

MOUSE DEER DISCOVERED

 IN VIETNAM

 

G'day folks,

Technically, this is not a new discovery, as these animals were considered extinct for close to 30 years. 

 

The last sighting of the chevrotain, or the mouse deer, was in 1990 in Vietnam. Researchers believed them to be extinct for three decades until a small group of these little animals was spotted in a Vietnam forest again in 2019. 

 

The rare silver-backed chevrotains, that resemble a hybrid of a large mouse and a deer, were captured on film scouring for food in a forest by camera traps. The mouse deer is almost the size of a rabbit and is the smallest of the ungulates (hoofed mammals).

 

The last chevrotain that was spotted in 1990 was found dead. The species was already on the brink of extinction then, and thus, finding an entire group of these animals so many years later is an important step. 

 

With the ‘rediscovery’ of this precious animal, researchers can learn new things about it and figure out ways to not lose it again. Here is to hoping that we learn from the mistakes of the past and find a way to preserve these new animal species in the coming decade.

 

Clancy's comment: Great news, eh? What a cute lil animal.

I'm ...

 

28 July 2021 - CHIKILIDAE - NEW AMPHIBIAN DISCOVERED IN INDIA

 

CHIKILIDAE - NEW AMPHIBIAN 

DISCOVERED IN INDIA

 

G'day folks,

An entirely new family of limbless amphibians was discovered in northeastern India in 2012. 

 

Part of the caecilian order of amphibians, these creatures look more like earthworms than frogs or toads because of the inexistence of limbs in their bodies. These amphibians, christened Chikilidae, build underground nests and can grow to be more than a meter (3.2 foot) in length. 

 

DNA analysis of the specimens found that their closest relatives are the Herpelidae in Africa, from which they deflected about 140 million years ago. The discovery of the Chikilidae is a great step in understanding amphibian evolution.

 

Clancy's comment: Another survivor.

I'm ...

 

 

17 July 2021 - OLINGUITO - MAMMAL CARNIVORE SPECIES DISCOVERED

 

OLINGUITO - MAMMAL 

CARNIVORE SPECIES 

DISCOVERED

G'day folks,

The first mammal carnivore species to be discovered in America in 35 years, the olinguito is the latest addition to the raccoon family tree. 

 

This new species of mammal, called Bassaricyon neblina, was discovered in 2013 by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History scientists. The small animal has a fluffy red-orange fur along with a bushy tail and is found in the misty Andean Mountains in South America. Interestingly, scientists had previously assumed olinguitos were members of their sister species, the olingos (Bassaricyon gabbii) - another tree-dwelling mammal that lives in the same mountains. 

 

They are, however, larger and have longer faces than olinguitos. This mammal was identified after gathering DNA sequences from live specimens. In appearance, these remarkably beautiful little animals look like a cross between a house cat and a teddy bear.

Clancy's comment: Cute lil guys, eh?

I'm ...

 

1 July 2021 - NEW SPECIES OF ORANGUTAN FOUND

 

NEW SPECIES OF 

ORANGUTAN FOUND

G'day folks,

It was way back in the 1930s when researchers had first claimed that there was an isolated population of orangutans living in the Batan Toru forests in western Sumatra. 

 

However, it took decades of comprehensive research, genetic tests and field observations, along with comparison from the male skeleton structures of countless orangutans to confirm the finding of a new species. 

 

Finally, in 2017, Pongo tapanuliensis was identified as a different species of orangutans. There are only about 800 individuals left of these orangutans and they occupy 1100 kilometers (1100000 meters) of forests in North Sumatra. Compared to other orangutans known from Sumatra and Borneo, these animals have smaller heads and a flatter face. Scientists also believe that the Pongo tapanuliensis is closer to their Bornean counterparts.

 

 

Clancy's comment: One of my all time favourite animals. Disturbing to know that there are only 800 left?

I'm ...

 

29 June 2021 - NEW FLUORESCENT TREE FROG FOUND IN ARGENTINA

 

NEW FLUORESCENT TREE 

FROG FOUND IN ARGENTINA

 

G'day folks,

The world’s first fluorescent frog was discovered near Santa Fe in Argentina in 2017. 

 

These amazing amphibians appear like any tree frog in normal sunlight. However, under UV light, they glow bright green, blue or yellow. Interestingly, this animal was discovered by accident while scientists were studying the pigment of polka-dot tree frogs, which are common in South America. 

 

Before the fluorescent polka-dot tree frog was discovered, this kind of fluorescence was only noticed in parrots and scorpions. Researchers are now attempting to determine whether these frogs can see their own fluorescent color.

 

Clancy's comment: Cute, eh? Frogs fascinate me. 

I'm ...

 

 

 

 

19 June 2021 - NEW SPECIES OF TURTLE FOUND IN GALAPAGOS

 

NEW SPECIES OF TURTLE

 FOUND IN GALAPAGOS

 

G'day folks,

A new species of Galápagos tortoise living on Santa Cruz Island within the Galápagos was discovered in 2015. 

 

For years, it was believed that the island had only one species of tortoise - Chelonoidis nigra - known as the Galápagos tortoise. However, a team of researchers found a group of 250 tortoises living on the island that were genetically distinct from the rest of the island’s tortoises. 

 

DNA testing finally confirmed that they represent a separate species: Chelonoidis donfaustoi. More than appearances, there is a clear geographical separation between these two tortoise species inhabiting the same island.

 

 The discovery of Chelonoidis donfaustoi opens the door for exciting research and understanding how different it is from Chelonoidis nigra.

Clancy's comment: Wow. Another survivor!

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9 March 2017 - THE BARRACUDA

THE BARRACUDA

G'day folks,

The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size, fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour.

The barracuda is highly evolved to be a master predator in its environment. This fish has been developing its skills for 50 million years!

Amazing Facts About the Barracuda

• The barracuda is a large species of fish found in the warmer, coastal regions of the world’s oceans.
• There are more than 20 different species of barracuda that range in size from less than 50cm to nearly 2 meters in length.
• Regardless of the species, all barracuda have a similar elongated appearance, with a pointed head and powerful jaws, containing rows of sharp fang-like teeth used for eating larger prey.
• The upper part of their body is covered with scales that can be black, brown, grey or blue in color. The belly is always white. Irregular dark spots are located on both sides of the body.
• The barracuda’s diet consists of different types of fish: groupers, anchovies, mullets, snappers and sometimes squids and crustaceans.
• Shiny objects attract the barracuda’s attention. Because of that, they usually hunt fish with golden or silver scales. Divers might be wise to avoid wearing jewellery in their presence!
• Barracuda can swim at 25 miles per hour which is useful both for hunting and for escaping from predators such as killer whales and sharks.
• Generally, adult barracudas are considered to be solitary when it comes to hunting, though young barracudas tend to gather in large ‘schools’, sometimes in hundreds or even thousands. Schooling offers the young fish protection from predators on the basis of safety in numbers.
• Often, when a predator attacks a school, the school will form a confusing ‘tornado’, preventing any one barracuda being fixed upon as prey in the eyes of the predator.
• Mating season takes place in the spring. Males and females release eggs and sperm cells in the water where they will combine to form fertilized eggs. Females produce and release more than 1000 eggs but few survive to adulthood.
• Human beings pose the greatest danger to barracudas. In addition to habitat destruction, climate change and pollution, they are also being threatened by ‘sport’ fishing.

Clancy's comment: Mm ... Looks harmless enough ... But.

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