Carnegie Museum of Natural History

One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Press Releases

For questions about press releases or for interview requests, please contact Erin Southerland or SoutherlandE@CarnegieMNH.org.

For image permission, please use our online form.

Request a Media Pass

November 9, 2023

For more information, contact:
Sloan MacRae
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
412.353.4678
MacRaeS@CarnegieMNH.org

Museum Researchers Describe Five New Amphibian and Reptile Species in 2023

Four new frogs discovered in Southeast Asia and one new skink discovered in Angola contribute to a better understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Five frogs in the genus Amolops: A: Amolops cremnobatus, B: A. tanfuilianae sp. nov., C: A. sengae sp. nov., D: A. kottelati sp. nov., E: A. attiguus sp. nov.
Acontias mukwando. Photo credit: Arthur Tiutenko.

Researchers in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s (CMNH) Section of Amphibians and Reptiles celebrate five new species described in 2023. Associate Curator Dr. Jennifer Sheridan and an international research team describe four new species of Southeast Asian frogs in the genus Amolops in the journal Vertebrate Zoology. Collection Manager Mariana Marques and international colleagues describe a new species of legless skink (small lizard) from Angola in the African Journal of Herpetology. Both museum researchers are lead authors of their respective studies. 
 
Marques and Sheridan’s discoveries took place 6,000 miles apart on different continents, yet both provide new scientific insights about their respective regions. In the face of a worldwide decline in biodiversity due to human impact, the documentation of new-to-science species fills vital knowledge gaps for a better understanding of ecosystem health. The better scientists can document biodiversity, the better they understand the effects of biodiversity loss and how to identify future conservation goals. 
 
“Publishing five new species within less than three weeks is exciting for us and the museum,” said Sheridan. “Both discoveries required a combination of field work and research back at the museum. Mariana knew in the field that she had likely encountered an undescribed species, while in my case, these frogs were labeled as Amolops cremnobatus in the field because that’s what they looked like. Years later, once we started looking closely at numerous individuals collected by many researchers, we began to fully realize the diversity hidden in the Amolops genus.”

Dr. Jennifer Sheridan, Associate Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Sheridan and researchers from Laos and North Carolina hypothesized that the Lao torrent frog Amolops cremnobatus, first described in 1998, is actually five species in the genus Amolops based on mitochondrial DNA analysis of specimens from Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. Their paper in Vertebrate Zoology describes the four new species Amolops tanfuilianae, Amolops kottelati, Amolops sengae, and Amolops attiguus. 

“These are extremely cryptic species,” said Sheridan. “So, determining the differences is not as simple as ‘specimen A has different coloration than cremnobatus’ or anything like that.” The visual differences between adult specimens were small and included varied finger lengths and the number of vomerine teeth (used to capture and hold prey). Tadpole morphology (size, shape, and structure) was key; even though adults are collected more often than tadpoles for scientific study, tadpole information is important. Body length, presence or absence of glands, and other physical features in tadpoles provided crucial data to differentiate the new Amolops species. Molecular data including mtDNA and nuDNA analysis also revealed differences the research team needed to describe the four new species. The team recognizes that continued research in Thailand may reveal additional species. 

Meanwhile, Marques and an international team of researchers discovered the skink Acontias mukwando on Serra da Neve, an inselberg, or isolated, rocky outcrop, in Angola, one of the most ecologically diverse countries in Africa. Moveable eyelids and distinct coloration distinguish the new species, Acontias mukwando, from other species in the genus Acontias. The research team chose the species name in honor of the local Mukwando tribe to recognize their support and friendship during field work.

Both Sheridan and Marques used specimens from the collections of multiple other museums to fully determine how these newly described species are unique, and how they relate to their closest relatives. They relied on collections made by numerous researchers from multiple countries, highlighting the value of collaborative museum networks for understanding global biodiversity.

“Finding a specimen like Acontias is always exciting,” said Marques. “These animals spend most of their time under rocks and foliage, and they are not usually seen by people. There is so much we don’t know about them. Discovering that a member of a little-known group occurs on top of an equally obscure mountain was such an exciting mystery to solve. It was one of those rare ‘wow’ moments in your career as a scientist! My goal is to provide a solid and scientific overview of the fauna occurring in Serra da Neve, in order to support its conservation and contribute to the understanding of its rare biodiversity.”

CMNH’s Section of Amphibians and Reptiles maintains a collection of more than 230,000 specimens and ranks as the ninth largest amphibian and reptile collection in the United States. It includes 156 holotypes, the single type specimens upon which the descriptions and names of their respective species are based. 

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, is among the top natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of millions of objects and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity in service of its mission: to deepen wonder and advance understanding of our natural world—past and present—in order to embrace responsibility for our collective future. More information is available by calling 412.622.3131 or by visiting the website, www.carnegiemnh.org.

###

June 12, 2024

Dippy 125 banner

Celebrate 125 Years Since the Discovery of Dippy with Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Museum to host events throughout July 2024 in honor of the discovery of the first Diplodocus carnegii fossils in July 1899.

March 5, 2024

portrait of Kathy Hollis

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Announces Kathy Hollis as Inaugural Director of Collections Care and Access

Hollis joins Carnegie from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

February 21, 2024

skink on a rock

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Researchers Describe Seven New Species of African Skinks

New Species Names Honor Naturalists David Attenborough, Edward O. Wilson, and People of Angola

February 20, 2024

two people posing for the camera holding a framed award

Robert T. Downs Wins 2023 Carnegie Mineralogical Award

Downs helped create one of the most widely used open-access mineral databases in the world

November 9, 2023

collage of five photos of different frogs

Museum Researchers Describe Five New Amphibian and Reptile Species in 2023

Four new frogs discovered in Southeast Asia and one new skink discovered in Angola contribute to a better understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem health.

September 28, 2023

people looking a biocube outdoors

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTS LIFE IN ONE CUBIC FOOT

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Invites Visitors to Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth and in Their Own Backyards from October 14, 2023 - January 7, 2024

July 11, 2023

Mason Heberling standing in knotweed plants that are taller than him.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Awarded $225K Grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation to Lead Campaign Against Spread of Invasive Plant Species

Museum to Spearhead Collaborative Education and Outreach Campaign Among Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, and Other Institutions

June 5, 2023

Chirp, Chitter, Caw: Surrounded by Birdsong

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTS SUMMER EXHIBITION CHIRP, CHITTER, CAW: SURROUNDED BY BIRD SONG

Featuring Soundtracks of Birdsong Created by The World According to Sound

April 10, 2023

Researchers Call for New Conservation Paradigm that Embraces Positive Contributions of Land Stewardship

Study Emphasizes Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s “We Are Nature” Commitment to Recognize Humans as Inextricable Part of Nature

February 16, 2023

William B. “Skip” Simmons, Jr. Wins 2022 Carnegie Mineralogical Award

Simmons Honored for Career as Pegmatology Expert and Dedicated Educator

January 24, 2023

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTS APSÁALOOKE WOMEN AND WARRIORS FEBRUARY 4 - MAY 29, 2023

Exhibition from The Field Museum Celebrates Bravery and Artistry of the Matriarchal Apsáalooke People of the Northern Plains

May 10, 2022

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Presents Nature’s Amazing Machines, Exploring the Engineering Feats of the Natural World

A “Nuts-and-Bolts” Look at Nature at the Museum May 28, 2022 – January 2, 2023; Presented in English and Spanish

April 6, 2022

Early Placental Mammal Evolution Prioritized Brawn over Brains

Study in Prestigious Journal Science Sheds Light on the Mammalian Brain in Post-Dinosaur World

March 9, 2022

Pittsburgh Launches Spring 2022 Lights Out Program to Protect Migratory Birds

Business and conservation organizations unite to turn off lights during peak times in spring migration period

February 15, 2022

Dr. Barbara Lee receiving 2021 Carnegie Mineralogical Award

DR. BARBARA LEE DUTROW WINS THE 2021 CARNEGIE MINERALOGICAL AWARD

Champion of Diversity and Women in Mineralogy

February 1, 2022

STUDY CALLS FOR “EXCITING NEW ERA” OF INCREASED USE OF PLANT SPECIMENS AS TRAIT DATA SOURCES

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Botanist Mason Heberling Makes Case for Digitized Herbaria in Prestigious Coulter Review

December 7, 2021

Yellow oldsite blades with blue stanleyite and white szomolnokite on asphaltum.

New Mineral Named For Carnegie Museum of Natural History Scientist

Uranium Mineral "Oldsite" Honors Travis Olds, Assistant Curator of Minerals

August 9, 2021

Annie with 800000th bird, cedar waxwing

Powdermill Nature Reserve Records 800,000th Bird Banding

Milestone Bird Is a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)

June 22, 2021

Scutosaurus replica skeleton

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY EXTENDS DINOSAUR ARMOR BY POPULAR DEMAND

World Premiere Exhibition to Run Four Additional Weeks through July 31, 2021

February 9, 2021

bird perched on a branch at night

Surprising Study Reveals that Common Potoo Bird Is Migratory

Citizen Scientist Researchers from Southern Hemisphere Make Impact

December 8, 2020

Sarah Crawford

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBITIONS DIRECTOR

Sarah Crawford brings exhibition experience from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Field Museum, and San Diego Museum of Us

November 17, 2020

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Partners with Commonwealth Press and Pfaltzgraphic to Launch New Merchandise

T-shirts and hoodies feature original designs of museum fan favorites, including dinosaur mascot “Dippy” and TikTok Star Tim Pearce

September 28, 2020

rose-breasted grosbeak gynandromorph

RESEARCHERS AT POWDERMILL NATURE RESERVE OBSERVE RARE GYNANDROMORPH BIRD CONTAINING BOTH MALE AND FEMALE CHARACTERISTICS

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Roughly Male on Right Side and Female on Left Side

July 8, 2020

Powdermill Nature Reserve Receives $1M Avian Research Grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation

Two-year grant supports construction of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s new Powdermill Avian Research Center, enhanced research programs, and expanded public programming

June 22, 2020

dinosaur featured in dino virtual field trip

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Re-opens with World Premiere Dinosaur Armor

Exhibition coincides with public reopening June 29; Free exclusive member preview June 27 and 28

May 28, 2020

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Partners with TikTok to Create Educational Videos

The museum cultivated a following of over 148,500 and millions of views since January 2020, anchored by mollusk curator's snail jokes

April 29, 2020

GROUND-BREAKING FOSSIL FROM MADAGASCAR HAS PITTSBURGH CONNECTION

CARNEGIE SCIENTIST PROVIDES COMPARATIVE CONTEXT FOR NEW CRETACEOUS MAMMAL

April 27, 2020

butterfly

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE PROVIDES 1.35-MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT TO CONSORTIUM BUILDING A NETWORK TO TRACK MIGRATING WILDLIFE

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Researcher Sets Covid-19 Bird Banding Protocols

April 16, 2020

Mason Heberling writing in a nature notebook

CARNEGIE MUSEUM BOTANIST WINS ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA GEORGE MERCER AWARD FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

Mason Heberling of Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie at University of Maine awarded for climate change research

April 2, 2020

Miley the Blue-Tongued Skink

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY LAUNCHES AT-HOME SUPER SCIENCE DAYS IN APRIL

Enjoy dinosaur hatching and more egg-cellent activities from home

March 31, 2020

Martensius bromackerensis

NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF 290-MILLION-YEAR-OLD CASEID DESCRIBED BY CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY RESEARCHERS AND INTERNATIONAL COLLEAGUES

Superbly preserved skeletons provide evidence that Martensius bromackerensis developed from juvenile insectivore to adult herbivore