More than 600 species were documented during the 2008 expedition, which was led by Conservation International (CI) under its Rapid Assessment Program (RAP).
Colorful jumping spiders, a tiny frog with a "ringing song" and a striped gecko are among more than 50 previously unknown species discovered during a recent survey in the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea .
More than 600 species were documented during the 2008 expedition, which was led by Conservation International (CI) under its Rapid Assessment Program (RAP). Of these, 50 spider species, two plants, three frogs and one gecko are believed to be new to science, according to CI. The frogs include "a tiny brown frog with a sharp chirping call (Oreophryne sp.), a bright green tree frog with enormous eyes (Nyctimystes sp.), and a torrent-dwelling frog that has a loud ringing call (Litoria sp.)"
"The vast Kaijende Uplands and nearby valleys represent one of Papua New Guinea's largest undeveloped highlands wilderness areas, and all of it is under the tenure of local clan landowners. These forests are essential to their traditional lifestyles," said CI scientist Steve Richards, who led the expedition.
CI scientists were joined by researchers from Papua New Guinea , the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Montclair State University . The expedition also has an anthropological component — Montclair State University anthropologist Dr. William Thomas worked with the local Hewa clans to document the natural history and local knowledge of the Kaijende Uplands as part of the “Forest Stewards”, an initiative he started with Dr. Bruce Beehler of CI.
Photo Caption:A frog, Litoria sp., believed to be new to science, and which uses a loud ringing song to call for a mate, was discovered in a rainforest during a Conservation International (CI) led Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) expedition of Papua New Guinea's highlands wilderness in 2008.
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