Palawan's small toad was re-exported after nearly half a century

Scientists who discovered the small species of Palawan have disappeared during the last 40 years in the Philippines, during last year's jungle research trip.

"Extinct" toads nearly half a century re-exported

During a survey of Palawan island biodiversity in December last year, scientists discovered the small Palawan toad (scientific name: Pelophryne albotaeniata), an endemic amphibian.

Palawan small frog (scientific name: Pelophryne albotaeniata), an amphibian species can only be found in Palawan, Philippines.(Photo: Center for Sustainability)

This species is currently listed as an endangered animal by the International Nature Conservancy and has not been seen for 40 years.

Also on the survey, scientists discovered a worm-like amphibian called caecilian Malatgan River, endemic to the island province of Palawan . It has not been seen by the scientific community for 50 years.

"Actually, it's a coincidence. One of the students accidentally went over it and thought it was a worm. But it turned out, it was a Malatgan river amphibian ," said Rafe Brown, an ecologist. evolution, of the University of Kansas, of the survey team, said.

While many Philippine forests were cleared for development, mining and agriculture, Palawan was generally unaffected. A 2013 study in Science suggested that the Wild Animal Conservation Area in Palawan is the fourth most irreplaceable protected area in the world, in terms of biodiversity conservation and inaccessible animals. found elsewhere.