Carnivorous Swamp Beast Discovered In Madagascar

crudmonkey writes "Researchers have identified a previously unknown species of carnivore lurking in one of the world's most endangered lakes. Durrell's vontsira, named in honor of the late conservationist and writer Gerald Durrell, was first photographed swimming in Madagascar's Lake Alaotra in 2004. Subsequent surveys confirmed the mongoose-like creature was indeed a new species. Durrell's vontsira is the first new carnivorous mammal discovered in Madagascar in 24 years. Little is known about the species, which is roughly the size of a cat."

Comments

I don't usually complain about summaries

[phantomfive]

I don't usually complain about the summaries (because I know they're all bad) but this one was a real disappointment to me. Carnivorous swamp beast?? I'm looking for this bad boy. But no, it's just a little cute furry guy, a little irate because someone is holding him by the throat. I would be irate too. OK, I know it's news, but such a disappointment.

Re:I don't usually complain about summaries

[Hognoxious]

But no, it's just a little cute furry guy

I'd be careful about describing a previously unknown carnivore as cute. It might have been unknown because nobody met one before, but it could be because nobody who met one lived to tell about it.

Re:I don't usually complain about summaries

[randizzle3000]

Haha...Palmela Handerson?

Re:We are so quick to label it a 'beast'

[Sique]

I mean, the discovery of even 8 digits to a limb would be quite the curiosity.

I hereby present you the Acanthostega, which has eight digits per arm. The number of toes per limb is yet unknown. But the Ichthyostega, which has seven digits per arm, has also seven toes per limb, so I would not be surprised if newly found fossils would show eight toes per limb for the Acanthostega.