[eocavrWM]

From Science Alert

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20120606-23453.html

One species of frog has become three including one unique to Hinchinbrook Island following studies of their genetics and mating calls.

Research published by James Cook University’s Dr Conrad Hoskin and colleagues shows that this particular north Queensland rainforest frog really consists of three species.

“Even though these three species look and sound quite similar to us as humans, there is very little interbreeding between them,” Dr Hoskin said.

“This is in large part due to the degree of genetic difference among them but also probably due to the differences in mating call. They probably don’t find each other attractive or perhaps they don’t even recognize each other as potential mates.”

Detailed research on variation in genetics and mating calls across populations of the Ornate Nursery-frog (Cophixalus ornatus) over the past decade has revealed that one species is really three. More at the link.

The two new species are Cophixalus australis (from the Atherton Tablelands S to the Paluma Range) and C. hinchinbrookensis (known only from Hinchinbrook Island)

The paper describing the new species and redescribing C. ornatus is available as a PDF from Zootaxa. (No paywall. Yay!)


Edited to add: The PDF contains pictures of dead frogs.

[zoppereurvito]

Neat looking frog (original version)




More info at:

http://wetlandinfo.derm.qld.gov.au/w...s-ornatus.html

http://bie.ala.org.au/species/COPHIXALUS+ORNATUS

[eocavrWM]

That Atlas of Living Australia distribution needs to be updated, because it still has the 'old' range. Cophixalus ornatus is now known to occur only from Mt Bartle Frere N to Mt Lewis (-ish).

I'd imagine this reduced range means that its conservation status will have to be re-examined. Probably still a least concern species, but they'll need to look at it and the new species. ('They' in this context being the people who do that sort of thing.)

[zoppereurvito]

('They' in this context being the people who do that sort of thing.)

Frogologist is the correct term

[eocavrWM]

I do believe you're correct.