Madagascar, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, has once again amazed the scientific world. This time, an international team of researchers, led by Prof. Miguel Vences from Technische Universität Braunschweig, has discovered seven new species of tree frogs from the genus Boophis. This discovery not only enriches our knowledge of the fauna of this exotic island but also brings a fascinating tidbit – these frogs produce sounds that resemble sound effects from the famous series Star Trek. This fact inspired the scientists to name them after seven of the most iconic characters from the show.
Madagascar – a key biodiversity hotspot
Madagascar, as an island isolated from the continents for millions of years, constitutes a unique ecosystem in terms of the number of endemic species of plants and animals. Many of these species, which occur only in this area, are threatened by human activities, including deforestation, urbanization, and climate change.
How was the discovery made?
Cryptic species, which look almost identical but are genetically distinct, pose a major challenge to classical taxonomy, which relies primarily on morphology. In the case of Boophis marojezensis, many populations appeared morphologically uniform, preventing detailed investigation for years. However, the development of molecular technologies, including DNA sequencing, gave scientists new tools for analyzing genetic differences between populations, leading to the identification of new species.
New species of frogs emit sounds like those from Star Trek
The newly discovered frog species from Madagascar are characterized by unique sounds that distinguish them from other amphibians. Instead of the typical croaking, these species emit high-pitched, whistling sounds used for mating calls. Researchers suggest that these acoustic signals help males attract females and communicate in the mountainous, wet rainforests of Madagascar, where the noise from rivers and streams could drown out less penetrating sounds.