CANBERRA, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists have discovered and named five new species of tree frogs.
In a study published on Friday, researchers from the South Australian Museum, Queensland Museum and Griffith University revealed they have named five new species of frog found in the swamps and forests of Papua New Guinea.
The new species were collected by Steve Richards, a herpetologist from the South Australian Museum and lead author of the study, during numerous visits over the course of 30 years.
Unlike most species of tree frogs, the new species are believed to lay their eggs out of water.
They come from wet mountain forest areas along the central mountain range of the island.
"I spent a huge amount of time waiting at night beside tree holes in rain, hail and moonshine for frogs to emerge in order to find these amazing species and to try and learn about their biology," Richards was quoted by the Australian Associated Press on Friday.
"New Guinea has more species of frogs than any other island in the world and most are found nowhere else."
The researchers said the discovery was an example of the diversity of the frogs.
It is believed that there are hundreds of species on the island that have still not been identified. ■
