FT264

A month-long expedition in late 2005 to the hitherto unexplored Foja Mountains of New Guinea resulted in the rediscovery of a bowerbird and bird of para­dise, and the discovery of a wholly new honey­eater and giant rat. In November 2008, zoologist Dr Bruce Beehler led a second Conserv­ation International expedition to the Fojas, lasting another month. The official press release, in May this year, revealed that the team had once again discovered some truly remarkable animals.

One of their finds this time was a seemingly new species of Litoria tree frog instantly distinguished by the long, pointed protuberance on its nose that rises up when the male is calling out, but deflates and drops back down when he becomes less active. Like so many interesting zoological discoveries, this curious amphibian, aptly dubbed the Pinocchio frog, was chanced upon completely by accident, when herpetologist Paul Oliver happened to notice it sitting on a bag of rice in the campsite.

Another extraordinary find was a grotesque, gargoylesque gecko with bent toes and huge, bright yellow eyes. Nor should we overlook – though it may well be easy to do so – the minute Dorcopsulus forest wallaby that is not just a new species but may well be the smallest known species of wallaby anywhere in the world. Other noteworthy finds included a new Syconycteris blossom bat, and an unexpected tricolour-plumaged form of Ducula imperial pigeon (sporting rust, white, and grey feathers) that once again could prove to be a hitherto-undescribed species. NewsDaily 17 May; D.Mail, 18 May 2010.