A recent expedition in northeast Australia found three vertebrate species, including this leaf-tailed gecko, that have never been seen before. The species were discovered in the Cape Melville mountain range on Australia's Cape York Peninsula.
'Lost world' discoveries —
A recent expedition in northeast Australia found three vertebrate species, including this leaf-tailed gecko, that have never been seen before. The species were discovered in the Cape Melville mountain range on Australia's Cape York Peninsula.
Tim Laman/National Geographic
Conrad Hoskin, from James Cook University, holds the gecko shortly after finding it. Hoskin teamed up on the expedition with Tim Laman, a National Geographic photographer and Harvard University researcher. "The second I saw the gecko I knew it was a new species. Everything about it was obviously distinct," Hoskin said.
'Lost world' discoveries —
Conrad Hoskin, from James Cook University, holds the gecko shortly after finding it. Hoskin teamed up on the expedition with Tim Laman, a National Geographic photographer and Harvard University researcher. "The second I saw the gecko I knew it was a new species. Everything about it was obviously distinct," Hoskin said.
Tim Laman/National Geographic
Also discovered during the expedition was the Blotched Boulder-frog, a small frog that lives among the many boulders in the Cape Melville range. It is believed that the three new species have been isolated on Cape Melville for millions of years.
'Lost world' discoveries —
Also discovered during the expedition was the Blotched Boulder-frog, a small frog that lives among the many boulders in the Cape Melville range. It is believed that the three new species have been isolated on Cape Melville for millions of years.
Tim Laman/National Geographic
"This frog lives most of its life deep in the boulder fields where it is dark, cool and moist, and only comes to the surface when it rains." Hoskin said.
'Lost world' discoveries —
"This frog lives most of its life deep in the boulder fields where it is dark, cool and moist, and only comes to the surface when it rains." Hoskin said.
Tim Laman/National Geographic
Hoskin holds a new species of shade skink. The golden-colored lizard lives in the moist rocky rainforest on the plateau.
'Lost world' discoveries —
Hoskin holds a new species of shade skink. The golden-colored lizard lives in the moist rocky rainforest on the plateau.
Tim Laman/National Geographic
The new species were discovered within pockets of rainforest and boulder fields. "The top of Cape Melville is a lost world," Hoskin said. "Finding these new species up there is the discovery of a lifetime."
'Lost world' discoveries —
The new species were discovered within pockets of rainforest and boulder fields. "The top of Cape Melville is a lost world," Hoskin said. "Finding these new species up there is the discovery of a lifetime."
Tim Laman/National Geographic