There's a New Frog In Town

by Patricia Collier

The Western Ghats Mountains of Southern India often yields unusual species, not found anywhere else in the world. The region's most recent surprise is a purple, small-headed, beady-eyed, bloated frog that scientists are saying has been around since the dinosaurs.

Researchers said the animal is like no other frog found today, so they've placed it in an entirely new frog family. For now, it has no name, but it's certainly making a name for itself with scientists.

The new frog was discovered by Indian and Belgian scientists who said it looks like a jelly donut. It is about 3 inches long, has very short limbs and a pointed snout.

According to genetic researchers, the new find's closest relative is found in the Seychelles Archipelago, near Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

"I have no idea how many are left in the world," said Franky Bossuyt with the Free University of Brussels in Belgium. "It will be important to find that out in the near future."

The last new family of frogs was found in 1926, so scientists are particularly excited to turn up what they call, "another living fossil."

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.