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Over 100 Frog Species Discovered in Sri Lanka

Posted by timothy on from the look-but-don't-eat dept.

randomErr writes "An ecological treasure trove of brightly colored and diverse new frog species has been discovered on the tea-plantation-covered island of Sri Lanka. The discovery of more than a hundred new rain-forest species makes the country a new center of frog diversity and increases the urgency for protecting what little forest it retains."

2 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. Nuclear? by littlerubberfeet · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In all suriousness, the French used to do nuclear testing near Sri-Lanka. COuld these be corrupted genes? If not, where can I be a tree hugger and send money to?

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  2. Frogs still barometers of environmental health? by lute3 · · Score: 3, Interesting
    The film 'Red Planet' brings that famous frog phrase to mind..

    Would this diversity indicate...
    1) rapid adaption was necessary in an environment that was becoming more harsh at human hands?
    2) the frogs are flourishing? Is the environment's supposed toxicity is not hampering frogs in nearly profound ways as previously speculated?
    3) there was a miscount in the first place? This is Sri Lanka. Might it have much less biological study than the African Savannah, the Australian Outback, or even the Brazilian rain forest?