An international team of researchers has discovered seven new species of tree frogs that make “otherworldly sounds” in the rainforests of Madagascar. According to scientists, the strange hum and whistling is more similar to the sound effects of the science fiction series “Star Trek“, so experts decided to name the amphibians after its characters.
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen said that unknown people of the genus Boophis live in tropical forests on the island of Madagascar. At the same time, some of them live where tourists go, and others, on the other hand, hide from prying eyes. Also, according to biologists, the height of the unusual sound can be related to the land. The loudest and most “squeaky” species live near fast and noisy currents.
The researchers noted that by making the “otherworldly sounds” that resemble birdsong and the hum of various futuristic devices from science fiction, men … attract the attention of women. Because of the similar sounds, they decided to name them after the heroes of the Star Trek series – Captain Kirk, Picard, Cisco, Janeway, Burnham, Archer and Pike.
Scientists also said that Madagascar is home to about 9% of all frog species on Earth. According to the researchers, they have only scratched the surface of the wonderful world of the island’s tropical forests. Over the past ten years alone, experts have described around 100 new species of native frogs. According to scientists, the main discoveries are yet to come, drawn Phys.org edition.
Earlier, Telegraf.news wrote that a new species of tiny chameleons, whose size does not exceed 33 millimeters, was discovered in Madagascar. Reptiles of the genus Brookesia are endangered, and finding them is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. However, the researchers succeeded. The living discovery was named Brookesia nofy – in honor of the forest in which it was found.
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