Tuesday, October 21, 2008

A happy day for amphibians

There is widespread scientific concern about declining frog populations, especially in the tropics. So it's a good day when scientists report the rediscovery of an "extinct" frog - and add three new species to boot. From the Upper Pastaza Watershed in Ecuador, Ecuadorian herpetologists present Atelopus palmatu, a species of harlequin frog not seen since 1937. Added to the new species, this find will hopefully give new impetus to an interagency, international effort now underway to create a new nature reserve and replant lost rain forest in the area.

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