Snakes Fastest to Evolve

With the first two full snake genomes (Burmese python, king cobra) fully sequenced, scientists have found snakes have the fastest rate of genetic evolution among vertebrates with the strongest changed genes involving body shape, metabolism and venom production.

Sensitivity in Alligators, Crocodiles

New research into small pigmented domes called "integumentary sensor organs” (ISO) that line the armored skin of alligators and crocodiles found these are dense spots of mechanoreceptor nerve endings that give the animal an exceptional sense of touch sensitivity greater than human fingertips.

Pain-Killers from Snake Venom

Scientists have isolated pain-killing compounds called mambalgins from the venom of Africa's black mamba snake that are as strong as some opiates used today but without the common dangerous side-effects.

New Limbless Amphibians

Six potentially new species of burrowing, limbless amphibians (caecillians) have been discovered in northeastern India, representing a family of amphibians entirely new to science.

Miniature Reptiles Discovered

Researchers have discovered four new species of miniature reptiles living only in a few square miles on Madagascar, including the smallest leaf chameleon known (Brookesia micra) that grows no more than an inch long.

Turtle Eggs Communicate

Researchers have found that the eggs of the Australian river turtles (Emydura macquarii) all hatch at the same time, despite temperature differences between the top and bottom of the nest that should affect development and hatching times, suggesting possible chemical communication among the clutch.

Snake Blood Makes Heart Grow

With the hearts of some species of snakes nearly doubling in size in response to blood demand, researchers have discovered blood plasma from recently fed snakes can stimulate mammal hearts to grow without scarring, leading to potential medical treatments for human heart disease.

Snakes Store Sperm for Years

A rattlesnake kept isolated in a private collection in Florida gave birth to 19 young a full five years after being caught, and with DNA analysis ruling out parthenogenesis this is the first documented case of female snakes storing sperm for years until needed -- a mechanism still poorly understood.

New Frog Species

A team of Indian researchers has discovered 12 frog species new to science as well as three more species thought to be extinct, all within the national borders of India.

"Extinct" Frog Rediscovered

DNA analysis has shown the Chiricahua leopard frog of central Arizona to be indistinguishable from the "extinct" Las Vegas Valley leopard frog (Lithobates fisheri), thought to be the only endemic US frog to have died out in the modern era and not seen since 1942.

Invasive Amphibian Species

Invasive amphibian species such as the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) are more likely to thrive in areas in which similar species are already established, contradicting Darwin's hypothesis that such invasive species would be unsuccessful due to competition for resources.

"Extinct" Frog Species Found

A conservation group has rediscovered several "lost" frog and amphibian species living on the Indian subcontinent thought to be extinct, including many not seen for over a century.

Flying "Vampire" Tree Frog

A new frog species (Rhacophorus vampyrus) discovered in Vietnam uses its webbed feet to glide from tree to tree and, unique to the species, its tadpoles possess hard black fang-like hooks whose purpse has yet to be determined.

Newly Discovered Microfrog

The smallest Old World microhylid (Microhyla nepenthicola), or miniature frog, species no larger than a pea has been discovered living in a species of pitcher plants on the island of Borneo.

Crocodiles Crossing Oceans

Using sonar transmitters and satellite tracking, scientists have discovered that the saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) of Asia and Australia ride currents like a surfer to cross large areas of open sea to reach distant and remote locations in the South Pacific.

Unique New Frog Species

A new brightly colored frog (Raorchestes resplendens) has been identified as a new species living in the Eravaikulam National Park in southern India, unique in that it shares many physical qualities as toads and inhabits a total range of less than 3 square kilometers.

Lungless Frog Found

A new frog species (Barbourula kalimantanensis) has been discovered on the island of Borneo that breathes without lungs, getting all necessary oxygen by respiring through its skin.

New Dragon-Sized Lizard

A newly discovered fruit-eating monitor lizard (Varanus bitatawa) that lives in trees in the Philippines island of Luzon and can grow to six feet in length has been recognized as a new species, an extremely rare find for large land-dwelling vertebrates.

Extinct Turtle Found

Once believed extinct for almost a century due to loss of habitat and its use in Asian cooking, five rare Akran forest turtles were discovered in an elephant sanctuary in Myanmar.

Ten New Amphibian Species Discovered in Colombia

Members of Conservation International discovered ten previously unknown species while on an expedition in the tropical mountains of Colombia.

Among the new species found were three glass frogs of the Nymphargus, Cochranella and Centrolene genera, so called because their internal organs are visible through their translucent skin; three poison dart frogs of the Colostethus, Ranitomeya and Anomaloglossus genera, whose natural toxins present on their skin make them poisonous; one harlequin frog of the genus Atelopus; two different types of Pristimantis rain frogs; and one Bolitoglossa salamander species. Colombia is recognized as having one of the most diverse amphibian communities in the world, with 754 currently known species.

The expedition was part of the group's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) and targeted the Darien region of Colombia near the Panama border, which includes the mountainous Tacarcuna area. Herpetologists from Conservation International led the expedition, which also included ornithologists from Colombia's Ecotrópico Foundation. Over a period of three weeks, the group cataloged about 60 species of amphibians, 20 species of reptiles and almost 120 species of birds, many found nowhere else.

Amphibians are considered "indicator species" because their permeable skin exposes them directly to the environment, and thus these animals are affected by changes or contaminants in that environment before other more robust species. Amphibians are also extremely sensitive to variations in temperature and moisture brought about by changes in climate.

These results were announced February 2nd on Conservation International.

Source: Yahoo!