‘Vivid’ green creature — with beefed-up forearms — is new species in China. See it
In the mountains of southern China, a small amphibian hops down the edges of streams under the cover of darkness.
The nocturnal creature sits on the moss-covered rocks, but then, at the first sign of danger, it leaps into the water.
The frogs belong to a group called torrent frogs — and they were just discovered as a species new to science.
Researchers conducting surveys in the Gaoligong Mountains discovered the animals “squatting on big rocks in the streams or on banks” in the middle of the night, according to a study published Feb. 11 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys.
When they were finally able to catch the critters, they saw that they looked different than other torrent species.
The frogs are “medium-sized,” about 2.3 inches long with a “relatively robust” body and rounded snout, according to the study.
Their skin is smooth and a “vivid” shade of green “interspersed with irregular black spots,” researchers said.
The bottom of their heads, throat, chest and belly are “yellow-green” and the back of their stomach has “dense yellow dots,” according to the study.
Notably, their arms are “long and robust,” including “significantly enlarged” forearms that give the frogs a Popeye the Sailor appearance.
They also have “long and robust” back legs, helping them to leap into the water as a means of escape, according to the study.
Researchers said males of the species could be identified by their nuptial pads, thickened skin near the hands used to help hold on to females during mating, according to the study. Females of the species were identified by eggs that were visible in their abdomen from outside the body.
The new species was named Amolops gudao, or the Gudao Cascade frog.
“Baihualing, where the new species occurs, lies on the historical passage of the famous Southern Silk Road,” researchers said. “The specific epithet gudao is derived from the Chinese alternative name for the Southern Silk Road.”
Torrent frogs, which typically live near fast-flowing streams and wet areas, are known for their superior grip strength, allowing them to hold on to both rough and smooth surfaces.
This is evident from the thick toe pads seen on Gudao Cascade frogs, photos show.
The new species was discovered in Yunnan Province, near the China-Myanmar border.
The research team includes Yun-He Wu, Zhong-Bin Yu, Felista Kasyoka Kilunda, Chen-Qi Lu, Jia-Hua Li, Yun-Peng Li, Yi-Juan Shi and Jing Che.
This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM with the headline "‘Vivid’ green creature — with beefed-up forearms — is new species in China. See it."
