Seven brand-new species of tree frogs have been discovered in the rainforests of Madagascar; and their high-pitched, whistle-like calls sound like something straight out of Star Trek.
In a nod to the iconic sci-fi franchise, the research team who discovered the frogs have named the species after seven legendary captains: Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer, Burnham and Pike.
Led by Professor Miguel Vences from the Technische Universität Braunschweig, the international team found that the frogs' unique calls help them communicate above the roar of the fast-flowing streams they inhabit.
Their findings were published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology.
The study found that the whistle-like trills of the frogs cut through the forest, attracting mates while standing out in a crowded, sound-filled environment. It’s almost as if their calls serve as a 'star signal' in the rainforest, reminiscent of the sci-fi show’s famous sound effects.
“Not only do these frogs sound like sound-effects from Star Trek, but it seems also fitting that to find them, you often have to do quite a bit of trekking," says Assistant Professor Mark D. Scherz from the Natural History Museum of Denmark, who helped lead the study.
"A few species are found in places accessible to tourists, but to find several of these species, we had to undertake major expeditions to remote forest fragments and mountain peaks. There’s a real sense of scientific discovery and exploration here, which we think is in the spirit of Star Trek,” explains Scherz.
The whistles, which may remind Star Trek fans of the 'boatswain whistle' or even a 'tricorder', helped the researchers distinguish between different species, which can be confused based on looks alone.
“If the frogs just croaked like our familiar European frogs, they might not be audible over the sound of rushing water from the rivers they live near," says Dr. Jörn Köhler, Senior Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Germany, who played a key role in analysing the calls of the frogs.
While Madagascar’s rainforests are a treasure trove of biodiversity, home to roughly 9% of the world’s frog species, these amphibians are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The research team hopes their findings will inspire stronger conservation efforts, as these frogs live in small, specialised habitats that make them sensitive to environmental shifts.
In the spirit of Star Trek, the scientists say they are committed to "exploring more strange new worlds” and they’re certain there are even more species waiting to be discovered deep within Madagascar’s rainforests.
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