Reptiles Magazine
The Mindoro fanged frog was hiding in plain sight.
May 5, 2021
Mindoro fanged frog (Limnonectes beloncioi). Photo by Scott Travers
Researchers in the Philippines have discovered a new frog species that was previously thought to be the same species found on another island, but was determined to be unique through genetic testing.
The frog, the Mindoro fanged frog (
Limnonectes beloncioi) was previously thought to be the Acanth’s fanged frog (Limn
onectes acanthi) that lives on Palawan island. It sported nearly identical physical similarities in looks, almost indistinguishable to the naked eye. However, the mating calls were distinctly different and genetic analysis of the frog by researchers with the University of Kansas’ Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, determined that the frog was indeed a different species from the amphibian on Palawan.
Updated Dec 30, 2020 | 13:54 IST
The three snakes are now the only new members of the new genus called Levitonius, and new species called Levitonius mirus. Jeff Weinell | Photo Credit: Twitter
A new species of snakes, believed to be endemic in the Philippines, was discovered by a team of scientists as part of a new genus.
Jeff Weinell, a graduate research assistant at the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute, claimed that the Waray Dwarf Burrowing Snake has characteristics that are different to its previous classification.
Weinell, while studying three snake specimens preserved in the institute s biodiversity collection, realised that reptiles belonged to a new species, reported CNN.
A miniaturised snake
The snake is described as a miniaturised genus and species, much smaller than its closest relatives, Mr Weinell said.
While Levitonius mirus reaches at most 17 centimetres in length, the size of a pencil, he said, the closest relatives could be three to four times larger. That has a lot of consequences, like reduction of the number of bones, a sort of simplification of the body, Mr Weinell said. Miniaturisation hasn t been observed that often, at least in snakes, the KU graduate research assistant said, and this snake represents one of the most extreme cases within the larger clade it belongs in, called Elapoidea.
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