New Frog Species Found in NYC

The new species is not yet named.

Scientists have identified a new species of leopard frog in New York City and surrounding areas. 

The find is surprising because the frog was hiding in plain sight in one of the most populated urban areas.

Jeremy Feinberg, a Rutgers University doctoral candidate in ecology and evolution, was among the scientists who discovered the new species of frog as it issued its mating call.

"It was slower, more repetitive," said Feinberg. "It's really pretty undramatic, but for a trained biologist, you notice it and it sounds very different."

It took scientists three years to lock down the distinctive DNA and identify where the three-inch amphibian liked to hang out.

Researchers say the new frog species was confused for a long time with a frog it closely resembles, the southern leopard frog.      

So far, the new species has been positively identified on Staten Island. Feinberg says it probably inhabited the city's other boroughs at one time.      

"It's sort of a New York, New Jersey Meadowlands species," said Francisco Artigas, director of the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute.

Feinberg also has found specimens in New Jersey's Meadowlands and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, and Putnam and Orange counties in New York.      

The new species is not yet named, but one nature lover enjoying the swampy Meadowlands on a sunny Wednesday had a suggestion: the Jersey jumper.

Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us