ABC Net 15 Jun 10;
A new frog species has been found in South Australia's Flinders Ranges - the first in the state in 45 years.
Frog expert Mike Tyler says as soon as he was shown four specimens last week, he knew it was special.
Professor Tyler says the frog's markings distinguishes it from other species living in waterholes in South Australia's north-east.
"Perhaps an inch on the old scale. It is pale brown in colour, it has little discs on its fingers so that it can climb," he said.
"Its back is freckled, it has these little little markings on it which is a feature which is unique to it and something that tells me that this is quite distinct from anything else."
Mining worries as frog species found
ABC Net 16 Jun 10;
The owner of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary says discovery of a new frog species is yet another reason to be wary of mining in the Flinders Ranges region of outback South Australia.
Scientists say it is the first new species to be identified in SA in 45 years.
The species was found this month at Arkaroola, where Marathon Resources is involved in a uranium exploration project at Mount Gee.
Sanctuary owner Marg Sprigg says she is worried Marathon's initial drilling program could lead to it getting a full drilling licence later in the year.
"I'm a geologist, I'm not against mining but I don't think you have to mine everywhere and there were a lot of geologists who put in submissions saying 'leave Arkaroola alone, it is too special, it's a brilliant geological teaching laboratory'."
Ms Sprigg says mining could prevent more unique species being found in the Flinders Ranges.
