New Cynops species described!

[john]

I received a short email the other day from a contact in South Korea that the latest issue of the Korean Journal of Herpetology (2004, Volume 11, Number 1) describes a new species of Cynops. He writes:

“The study is taking place in the Hamgyong Bukto region of North Korea, close to the Chinese border and it involves both North and South Korean herpetologists. The species has initially been designated as Cynops yonsaii. The scientists are currently surveying surrounding regions, beginning in Yanggang Do province in an attempt to ascertain the range of the species. Several hundred animals were included in the study which has been ongoing since 2001 after an acquaintance of one of the study group was shown a dried specimen of what was sold as desiccated newt. Physically the animal is markedly larger than Cynops orientalis and it possesses more prominent parotoid glands than the smaller species. Its body colouration is akin to that of the smaller species, though the average specimen is more brown than black like its small relative. While the species shares the red areas of the underside of the body, these also extend to the proximal ends of the legs, both above and below the horizontal, lending the animals a unique appearance.”

My friend says that the animal is nearly as large as its Japanese relatives, although it is more closely related to Chinese Cynops.

So there’s an interesting piece of news. I wonder if Nate is going to talk Kim Jong Il into letting him into the country to get some specimens?

 

[TJ]

Yeah, sure

(Message edited by TJ on April 01, 2004)

 

[john]

What does that mean?? I think my friend summed it up rather eloquently when he said it was "a promising report in literature, focusing on our local endemic diversity."

 

[TJ]

So you're saying today's date is actually irrelevant? ...

 

[john]

I think my friend has answered your question with his words that I've quoted just above.

 

[ralf]

hmmmmmm

 

[john]

Yes. This was an April fool - take the first letter of each word of my "friend's" quote: "A promising report in literature, focusing on our local endemic diversity".

 

[TJ]

Hehe...well, you had me halfway fooled anyway

I was engaged in an internal struggle, highly doubting it was true but hoping and praying that it was. The presence of a South Korean herpetologist in the North and the inclusion of "several hundred animals" in the study were cause for doubt but otherwise it was pretty convincing. Good luck with next year's "fool"!

...(though we'll be expecting it next time around!)

(Message edited by TJ on April 03, 2004)

 

[brian]

I was fooled. I was at a herp talk and they said something about a new newt about a month or two ago. I missed most of what they said, so I thought this was the same thing. Then today I figured out it was a totally different country.