New Frog

Scientists from Hong Kong–based Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Sun Yat–Sen University and Kunming Institute of Zoology have jointly discovered new species of frog and named it Leptolalax tengchongensis, commonly known as the Asian litter frog. The frog discovered in Gaoligong Mountain National Reserve in the west of Yunnan was named after the country–level city, Tengchong.

According to the scientists, the frog, unlike ordinary frogs, lives only in clean mountain brooks and produces a special sound during mating season. Its relatively small size, between 2 and 3 cm, shagreen dorsal skin scattered with fine, round–reddish tubercles, toes with rudimentary webbing, narrow lateral fringes and flanks with large dark blotches distinguishes it from the rest.

During mating season, male frogs croak like crickets or similar insects. They, however, are difficult to be found due to their camouflaging skills. The discovery is part of a field research which began in April, 2014 and is still going on.