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Researchers were able to differentiate the new species from its relatives thanks to its unique call.
By Brooks Hays
A new species of glass frog discovered in Costa Rica resembles Jim Henson's famed muppet Kermit the Frog. Photo by the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, April 20 (UPI) -- Does art mimic reality, or vice versa? In Costa Rica, it seems a certain frog species is copping its looks from famed muppet Kermit the Frog.
A newly identified glass frog species, Hyalinobatrachium dianae, has the kind-hearted muppet's sad but lovable eyes and lanky limbs. The newly discovered amphibian is one of 149 known glass frog species, 14 of which are found in Costa Rica.
Glass frogs are named so for their translucent skin. The frogs underbellies are especially see-through, making it possible to view the blurry outlines of their internal organs.
The new frog species -- colloquially referred to as Diane's bare-hearted glass frog -- was discovered in February, in the Talamanca Mountains, by a group of scientists with the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center.
"This new species was described from six specimens collected at three different sites along the Caribbean slopes of Costa Rica between 400 to 900 meters above sea level," officials at the research center recently wrote in a press release.
Researchers were able to differentiate the new species from its relatives thanks to its unique call. It also has distinct morphological features -- skin texture and coloring. Genetic testing confirmed its originality.
The discovery is described by authors Brian Kubicki, Stanley Salazar and Robert Puschendorf in the science journal Zootaxa.
The frog is named for lead author Brian Kubicki's mother Janet Diane Kubicki, as well as the Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon and childbirth, Diana, who is strongly associated with with wild animals and woodlands.
By Brooks Hays
A new species of glass frog discovered in Costa Rica resembles Jim Henson's famed muppet Kermit the Frog. Photo by the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, April 20 (UPI) -- Does art mimic reality, or vice versa? In Costa Rica, it seems a certain frog species is copping its looks from famed muppet Kermit the Frog.
A newly identified glass frog species, Hyalinobatrachium dianae, has the kind-hearted muppet's sad but lovable eyes and lanky limbs. The newly discovered amphibian is one of 149 known glass frog species, 14 of which are found in Costa Rica.
Glass frogs are named so for their translucent skin. The frogs underbellies are especially see-through, making it possible to view the blurry outlines of their internal organs.
The new frog species -- colloquially referred to as Diane's bare-hearted glass frog -- was discovered in February, in the Talamanca Mountains, by a group of scientists with the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center.
"This new species was described from six specimens collected at three different sites along the Caribbean slopes of Costa Rica between 400 to 900 meters above sea level," officials at the research center recently wrote in a press release.
Researchers were able to differentiate the new species from its relatives thanks to its unique call. It also has distinct morphological features -- skin texture and coloring. Genetic testing confirmed its originality.
The discovery is described by authors Brian Kubicki, Stanley Salazar and Robert Puschendorf in the science journal Zootaxa.
The frog is named for lead author Brian Kubicki's mother Janet Diane Kubicki, as well as the Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon and childbirth, Diana, who is strongly associated with with wild animals and woodlands.
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