Overview
- Scientists named a gecko and two frogs—Nactus simakal, Choerophyrne koeypad and Callulops gobakula—in Zootaxa papers published in mid‑October.
- All three animals appear confined to Dauan’s deep granite boulder fields, which provide cool, moist microhabitats rare in the Torres Strait.
- The frogs are microhylids believed to develop directly from eggs without a free‑swimming tadpole stage, reflecting life histories seen in New Guinea relatives.
- Researchers and conservationists warned that invasive species pose the greatest risk to these narrow‑range endemics, noting a cane toad was recently trapped on nearby Saibai Island.
- Local leader Torenzo Elisala welcomed the findings as culturally significant, and rangers plan further surveys to gauge populations and assess potential threatened listings.