We hear about new species of animals and bugs discovered in far flung parts of the globe all the time. Yawn. But this newfound froggy was spotted amidst the concrete and taxi cabs of Staten Island.
The New York Times reports:
On a foray into the wilds of Staten Island in 2009, Jeremy A. Feinberg, a doctoral candidate in ecology and evolution at Rutgers University, heard something strange as he listened for the distinctive mating call of the southern leopard frog — usually a repetitive chuckle. But this was a single cluck.
Being incredibly responsible and diligent scientists, Feinberg and his colleagues studied the froggie for THREE YEARS, and now they’re finally ready to declare that yes indeed, this is a new species of leopard frog, which they’ve yet to name. Don’t hold your breath — that’s liable to take another three years. But to speed up the process, you can suggest a name at here! Which, based on what I’ve heard about Staten Island, should probably be “Fist Pump.” [Molecular Phylogenics and Evolution via The New York Times]
Image: Brian Curry