New frog species discovered in New York city

NEW YORK: A new species of frog has been discovered in the bustling city of New York amid the skyscrapers and subways, which scientists say is "nothing short of amazing."

"The species is completely distinct," said Leslie Rissler, programme director with the National Science Foundation.

The newly-identified animal is among more than a dozen distinct leopard frog species.

While it is fairly common to find new species of animals in the remote wildness or in rain forests, to discover one in marshes and ponds within an urban area such as New York is nothing short of amazing, Rissler, who is part of the team of scientists that found the species, was quoted as saying by CNN.

The new species of frog was found within view of the Statue of Liberty. The researchers say the center of its range is Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Researchers used DNA testing to find this so-called cryptic species, which is one species hidden within another.

Researchers basically stumbled across the new frog, Rissler said, adding the discovery is "extremely rare."

Scientist Jeremy Feinberg at Rutgers University first noticed the new amphibian sounded different from the northern and southern leopard frogs and that it had "weird-sounding calls." Feinberg said the frog had a "peculiar croak."

It didn't have the "long snore" or "rapid chuckle" other leopard frogs have. The new frog had a "short, repetitive croak."

Feinberg says he knew from the get-go there was something odd about the frog. "When I first heard these frogs calling, it was so different, I knew something was very off."

And the DNA analysis proved him right. The species is so new it doesn't even have a name yet. And Rissler said there won't be any naming contests for this new amphibian, either.