A FROG with fluorescent purple markings and 12 kinds of dung beetles are among two dozen new species discovered in the remote plateaus of eastern Suriname, scientists said.
The expedition was sponsored by two mining companies hoping to excavate the area for bauxite, the raw material used to make aluminum, and it was unknown how the findings would affect their plans.
Scientists discovered the species during a 2005 expedition led by the US-based nonprofit Conservation International in rainforests and swamps about 130 km southeast of Paramaribo, the capital of the South American country, organisation spokesman Tom Cohen said.
Among the species found were the atelopus frog, which has distinctive purple markings; six types of fish; 12 dung beetles, and one ant species, he said. The scientists called for better conservation management in the unprotected, stateowned areas, where hunting and small-scale illegal mining is common.
The study was financed by Suriname Aluminum Company LLC and BHP Bniton Maatschappij Suriname. Suriname Aluminum, which has a government concession to explore gold in the area, will include the data in its environmental assessment study, said Haydi Berrenstein, a Conservation International ofIicial in Suriname, which borders Brazil, Guyana and French Guiana. About 80 per cent of Suriname is covered with dense rainforest.
Thousands of Brazilians and Surinamese are believed to work in illegal gold mining, creating mercury pollution that has threatened the health of Amerindians and Maroons in Suriname's interior.
This discovery is surprising because no previous theories of how the frogs arrived had predicted a single origin for Caribbean terrestrial frogs and because groups of close relatives rarely dominate the fauna of an entire continent or major geographic region," said biology Professor Blair Hedges, who directed the research.
The field work for the study required nearly three decades and some species included in the study are now believed extinct because of habitat degradation and possibly other causes, such as climate change.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Help
By: dbsunsetel | 22-08-2008
looking for a Doctor who can get rid of pseudomonas
I saw a bee and it was black with a white backend ...
By: maaccy567 | 22-08-2008
I saw a bee and it was black with a white backend. What kind of bee was it?
My husband located a bush type plant approx. 7 to ...
By: Janice | 14-08-2008
My husband located a bush type plant approx. 7 to 8 ft tall with clusters of berries, near a lake in an area that stays moist, the berries were about the size of green peas, does anyone know what this may be? He first thought that they may be fox grapes but unsure. I found info about moonseed grapes that they were poisonous and that native americans used them for different puroposes, this area was known to be campsites of native americans from the archiology studies in the area. We are in Virginia, Pittsylvania County.
Endangered species products for children
By: gkkaart | 14-07-2008
I would like to see products ( cards, "T" shirts books games) about "endangered species" for children
Nobody believes..nor are willing to look...
By: Tink | 14-07-2008
Is there anyone in the Southern California area studying Turtle Fossils, and are willing to "LOOK" before they off-handedly dismiss my claims of finding MASSIVE numbers of 'obvious' turtle parts in the High Desert area north of Palm Springs, California.???????
Live frogs (auto generated)frog
By: stan-zee | 01-07-2008
live frogs I come to new york in june and found a beautifull bull frog with green mouth in my pond .My pond is 4x4x3.I leave in Sept. and do not know what to do with it .I am sure the water will freeze.It must have been living for a while becacuse it a nice size.what to do ?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest News and Society Articles
Professional Firework Display for Wedding Days and Celebrations
By: Cythia Vanderwiltt | 02/09/2008
Tying into the decision on how to use wedding fireworks displays is the consideration of budget. Some outlets carrying fireworks and fireworks outlets are more costly, others are much more modestly priced. If you have a big enough budget put aside for ext
A Great Way to Make Your Wedding Reception or Birthday Go With a Bang
By: Cythia Vanderwiltt | 02/09/2008
The perfect choice if you are planning a wedding day and would choose to include a wedding fireworks display is to find a professional fireworks company that will work wonderfully with you. Ask for testimonials, and be positive that the company and its py
Ideas to Make Your Wedding or Birthday Go With a Bang
By: Cythia Vanderwiltt | 02/09/2008
Wedding parties , birthdays and anniversaries are a great time of celebration. It's time for a party and you want to know how to make your wedding party , birthday or anniversary go with a bang. fireworks display are ideal for such events and are a fabulo
Fantastic Firework Displays for Wedding Parties and Celebrations
By: Cythia Vanderwiltt | 02/09/2008
Professional firework displays as part of wedding parties, birthday parties, corporate events, or other celebrations can add a special pazazz. Guests of these events will be entertained and delighted by this added attraction, and the firework displays wil
How to Make Your Wedding, Birthday or Any Event Go With a Bang
By: Cythia Vanderwiltt | 02/09/2008
The key factor when it comes to professional fireworks displays is that they are just that - professional. These types of professional fireworks displays must be set up and presented by experienced, qualified pyro technicians, who should carry insurance
Kyoto Protocol and What it Means
By: Dilip Dahanukar | 29/08/2008
The UN member countries in a convention held on climate change in Japan, in 1997, agreed to a treaty for controlling the emissions. It was named the 'Kyoto Protocol' from the name of the place where it was signed. As of now, 170 countries have committed to implement the Protocol....
Global Warming Can Not Melt the Polar Ice Caps From Below
By: Dilip Dahanukar | 27/08/2008
The Earth is being heated by the Sun every day. Almost 174,000 Terawatts of energy hits the Earth. One Terawatt is equal to one million megawatts! So the Sun is heating the Earth with 174 billion megawatts of energy! Of this, about 30% is reflected back due to the white...
Liverpool Teems With Arts and Culture
By: Steve Kevin | 27/08/2008
The Beatles' nest- Liverpool, is regarded as one of the top tourist spots around the globe. If you are planning to go on a splendid adventure to explore culture, then Liverpool should be on the top of your list.
Known as the United Kingdom's Capital of Culture, Liverpool boasts of its...
More from Subhash
Nasa Will Send ‘icebreaker’ to Mars in Hunt for Life
By: Subhash | 09/07/2007 | Technology
When the probe lands its task will be to dig deep into the soil, scoop out chunks of ice and analyze them for signs of past or present life forms.
This is your Life... and How you Tell it
By: Subhash | 07/07/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Stories are stories, after all. The attractive stranger at the airport bar hears one version, the parole officer another, and the PTA board gets something entirely different.
The Green Day
By: Subhash | 06/07/2007 | Music
Green Day was originally part of the punk rock scene at 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, California. Their early releases for independent label Lookout! Records earned them a grassroots fanbase,
Chocolate Full of Health Benefits
By: Subhash | 05/07/2007 | Health
The best part of this study is that it allows us to give whole-hearted recommendations to those patients with high blood pressure who might have a sweet tooth,
Key to a Good Marriage? Share Chores With Wife
By: Subhash | 04/07/2007 | Art and Entertainment
In a 1990 World Values Survey, children ranked third in importance among the same items, with 65 per cent saying children were very important to a good marriage. Just 41 percent said so in the new Pew survey.
The Yellow Pages
By: Subhash | 30/06/2007 | Technology
Yellow Pages" were invented in the USA, over a century ago. The expression "Yellow Pages" is used globally, in both English and non-English speaking countries.
Battle to Build the Biggest Supercomputer
By: Subhash | 29/06/2007 | Computers
The huge devices, each costing tens of millions of pounds, will compete against each other this year for the title of the planet's biggest electronic brains.
No Full Stop in Evolution
By: Subhash | 28/06/2007 | Health
Historian often assume that they need pay on attention to human evolution because the process ground to a halt in the distant past. That assumption is looking less and less secure in the light of new finding based on decoding human DNA.
News and Society 
