‘Horned’ mountain creature — with pink thighs — discovered as new species in China
On a mountain of southern China, a “horned” creature hid under the shrubbery. Its “large” eyes scanned the area, perhaps looking for a meal or a mate. But it wasn’t the only one looking around.
Passing scientists spotted the “long”-fingered animal — and discovered a new species.
Researchers ventured into the Gaoligong Mountains of Yunnan Province in August 2023 to survey wildlife, according to a study published July 25 in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. This “long, narrow mountain range” is “one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots outside of the tropics” and still poorly known.
During the expedition, researchers found five unfamiliar-looking toads, the study said. They took a closer look at the amphibians and quickly realized they’d discovered a new species: Xenophrys yingjiangensis, or the Yingjiang horned toad.
Yingjiang horned toads are considered “medium”-sized, reaching about 2 inches in length, the study said. They have “flat” heads with “projecting” snouts and “large,” “oval-shaped” tongues. Their skin is “relatively smooth,” and their fingers are “long.”
A photo shows the “reddish brown” coloring of a Yingjiang horned toad. Seen from above, it looks almost like a dead leaf. Pale brown markings crisscross its back.
Seen from underneath, the toad has a pale stomach and pink thighs. A few white markings dot the underside of its throat and abdomen, another photo shows.
The new species’ “large” eyes are “copper-brown, with tiny dark reticulations spreading from (the) pupil,” researchers said and a close-up photo shows.
Yingjiang horned toads were found in the shrubs of mountainous forests between elevations of about 2,600 to 3,900 feet, the study said.
Researchers said they named the new species after Yingjiang County because it was found there. This county is in southern China’s Yunnan Province and along the border with Myanmar.
So far, Yingjiang horned toads have been found in Yunnan Province and a nearby region of Myanmar, the study said.
The new species was identified by its body shape, size, coloring, texture and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had “obvious genetic divergence” from other related toad species.
The research team included Yun-He Wu, Zhong-Bin Yu, Jin-Min Chen, Felista Kasyoka Kilunda, Ding-Can Zhang, Chang-Sheng Zuo, An-Ru Zuo, Zheng-Pan Duan and Jing Che.
This story was originally published July 26, 2024 at 8:17 AM with the headline "‘Horned’ mountain creature — with pink thighs — discovered as new species in China."
