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Pea sized frog found on Borneo island

Date published: August 26, 2010

Adult males of the new species range between 10.6 and 12.8 mm – about the size of a pea. Because they are so tiny, finding them proved to be a challenge. The frogs were tracked by their call, and then made to jump onto a piece of white cloth to be examined closer. The singing normally starts at dusk, with males gathering within and around the pitcher plants. They call in a series of harsh rasping notes that last for a few minutes with brief intervals of silence. This "amphibian symphony" goes on from sundown until peaking in the early hours of the evening.

Possible discovery of earliest animal life pushes back fossil record

Date published: August 19, 2010

In findings that push back the clock on the scientific world's thinking about when animal life appeared on Earth, Princeton scientists may have discovered the oldest fossils of animal bodies, suggesting that primitive sponge-like creatures were living in ocean reefs about 650 million years ago. The shelly fossils, found beneath a 635 million-year-old glacial deposit in South Australia, represent the earliest evidence of animal body forms in the current fossil record by at least 70 million years, writes Hilary Parker.

Mammal-like crocodile fossil found in East Africa

Date published: August 19, 2010

Fossils of an ancient crocodile with mammal-like teeth have been discovered in Tanzania. The scientists described the new species of notosuchian crocodyliform as a small animal that wasn’t as heavily armoured as other crocodiles, except along the tail. Other aspects of its anatomy suggest it was a land-dwelling creature that likely feasted on insects and other small animals to survive. The new species isn’t a close relative of modern crocodilians, but is a member of a very successful side branch of the crocodyliform lineage that lived during the Mesozoic Era, writes Andrea Gibson.

Couch potatoes of the animal kingdom: Orangutans

Date published: August 19, 2010

Orangutans living in a large indoor/outdoor habitat used less energy, relative to body mass, than nearly any eutherian mammal ever measured, including sedentary humans. Researchers have found an extremely low rate of energy use not previously observed in primates, but consistent with slow growth and low rate of reproduction in orangutans. A Wildlifewatch report.

Most panda habitat is outside nature reserves

Date published: August 19, 2010

Although much effort and many resources have been expended to protect the endangered giant panda, much suitable panda habitat is outside the nature reserves and areas where the panda is reported to live. A research team developed habitat models using geographical/environmental information gathered by satellites overlaid with information on panda occurrence. They developed a habitat suitability index for the area. The range-wide habitat analysis model gives governments and other agencies a new tool as they develop conservation strategies and priorities – it can be used for many other endangered species. A Wildlifewatch report.