Scientists find 24 New Species in Suriname

[calteacherguy]

Source: AP

PARAMARIBO, Suriname - A toad with fluorescent purple markings and 12 kinds of dung beetles were among two dozen new species discovered in the remote plateaus of eastern Suriname, scientists said Monday.

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.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19028712/

[WindRavenX]

1. freakin' awesome

I love that frog's colors too...trippy!

[MichaelHarris]

2. Were they on the Ark?

if not then they don't exist.


Kidding, very cool looking frog. I think I saw one once when I found some peyote.

[rpannier]

3. Yes they were as a matter of fact

The frogs ran bingo night and bunked between the Tyranosaurus Rex's and the Komodo Dragons.

Seriously...They are cool to look at.

[MichaelHarris]

9. It's that

platypus that freaks me right out.

[okoboji]

7. check the offical Ark manifest.....

I'm sure that new museum has a copy stored under glass for all to observe, but it will cost you an extra $7.50 to gaze upon it.

[Quakerfriend]

4. I am speechless looking at that little guy!

My great, great grandfather (Constantine Hering, MD) was sent on a zoological expedition to Suriname by the King of Saxony in the 1820's.

He had just finished medical school when he became enthralled by homeopathy and the teaching of Hahnemann. As he said in his journal: "I rave about the miracles of homeopathy from every table top, to all who will listen. Every day cures keep coming. I feel I can almost raise the dead!"

The King was furious with this 'nonsense' called homeopathy. And, he sent grandfather to Suriname to get him out of Saxony..(and, to get him to shut up!)

My grandfather saw Suriname as the perfect place to find a remedy in every plant and every species. He conducted more than 200 provings while living there, over seven years. The King did write to him and tell him to "Stop practicing homeopathy immediately!" But, he refused.

He eventually came to Philadelphia and brought all of his specimens with him. I have taken his great, great, great grandkids (my kids and their cousins) to see some of the specimens at the Academy of Natural Sciences.

I hope to visit Suriname some day! Thx for posting this!!:9

[july302001]

8. fascinating

Your post is fascinating! I wish there were the same love for natural history and observing the species in hidden places among my contemporaries as in your GG Grand-dad's time.

And that frog is outta this world...

[mike_c]

5. dammit I want pics of the beetles!

:grr:

Freakin' vertebrates get all the press....

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Amazing. Of course the Repukes will try to justify the disappearance of some species by

noting that new ones have been found.