NEW SPECIES: Nyctimystes sp. A large tree frog, approximately six inches/15 cm, with enormous eyes was found next to a clear running mountain river during a Conservation International (CI) led Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) expedition of Papua New Guinea’s highlands wilderness in 2008. It belongs to a group of frogs with an unusual vein-like pattern on the eyelid and its tadpoles have enormous sucker-like mouths that allow them to graze on exposed rocks in torrential stream environments.
The abundance and diversity of amphibians are indicators of an ecosystem's general health. Amphibians are often referred to as "the canary in the coal mine" (this is definitely an overplayed reference, but nonetheless true and important) - amphibians have permeable skin meaning that they all too easily absorb toxins or pollutants to which they are exposed, making them some of the first species to disappear from ecosystems declining in health. Their disappearance can be used as an early warning sign that something bad is happening to a given environment - including environments humans inhabit.
© Conservation International/ photo by Stephen Richards
PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release on Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program and exclusively in conjunction thereof. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.
REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Conservation International/ photo by Stephen Richards, and must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the press release on the Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program. Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice, map credit and a caption referencing the press release on the Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program are subject to paid licensing.
Any other uses are subject to further clearance and permission from Conservation International. Please contact Karen Mikosz at kmikosz@conservation.org or +1-703-341-2549 if you have any questions or if you wish to license the image for any other use.

NEW SPECIES: Nyctimystes sp. A large tree frog, approximately six inches/15 cm, with enormous eyes was found next to a clear running mountain river during a Conservation International (CI) led Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) expedition of Papua New Guinea’s highlands wilderness in 2008. It belongs to a group of frogs with an unusual vein-like pattern on the eyelid and its tadpoles have enormous sucker-like mouths that allow them to graze on exposed rocks in torrential stream environments.
The abundance and diversity of amphibians are indicators of an ecosystem's general health. Amphibians are often referred to as "the canary in the coal mine" (this is definitely an overplayed reference, but nonetheless true and important) - amphibians have permeable skin meaning that they all too easily absorb toxins or pollutants to which they are exposed, making them some of the first species to disappear from ecosystems declining in health. Their disappearance can be used as an early warning sign that something bad is happening to a given environment - including environments humans inhabit.
© Conservation International/ photo by Stephen Richards
PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release on Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program and exclusively in conjunction thereof. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.
REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Conservation International/ photo by Stephen Richards, and must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the press release on the Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program. Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice, map credit and a caption referencing the press release on the Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program are subject to paid licensing.
Any other uses are subject to further clearance and permission from Conservation International. Please contact Karen Mikosz at kmikosz@conservation.org or +1-703-341-2549 if you have any questions or if you wish to license the image for any other use.
Nikon D200 |
Original size: 1181x791 |
Current: 800x536 |