Imagine making your way through the rainforests of Madagascar. It’s hot and humid. Animal noises fill the air. Frogs chirp in the trees. This forest is home to over 400 different types of amphibians. And those are just the ones that scientists have already discovered.
Stop and listen. Some of the frog noises you hear remind you of sound effects from science fiction shows—futuristic beeps and whistles. At least, researchers thought so! That’s what inspired them as they named seven newly discovered frog species. Can you tell what these names have in common?
Boophis kirki
Boophis picardi
Boophis siskoi
Boophis janewayae
Boophis archeri
Boophis pikei
Boophis burnhamae
Any of those names sound familiar? If you’re a science fiction fan, they might! These frogs are named after captains from the Star Trek television and movie series. Think of Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Captain James T. Kirk from the original series.
Mark Scherz is one of the researchers who discovered and named the frogs. He and his fellow researcher, Miguel Vences, both love Star Trek. When he suggested naming the new species after the series, his partners said, “Make it so!” (Star Trek joke.)
As the names suggest, these frogs come from the genus Boophis. Boophis frogs sometimes go by the nickname “bright-eyed frogs.” Many of them have translucent skin (but don’t confuse them with glass frogs—see teen.gwnews.com/articles/glass-act for that). When researchers first encountered the new species, they assumed they belonged to the already-known Boophis marojezensis. But further research revealed seven distinct types of frog. That makes nearly 80 known Boophis species in all.
When researchers discover a new species, they get to name it. People have been naming animals since the beginning of history! Just see Genesis 2:19 in your Bible.
Why do frogs like Boophis kirki make these futuristic noises? It likely helps them attract mates. To be heard over other rainforest noises, frogs must make loud, distinct calls. Sometimes those noises sound like phasers and theremins (a hands-free electronic instrument used to create some sci-fi music and sound effects).
For Scherz, the Trek-inspired names have a deeper meaning.
“Star Trek is about science, it’s about discovery, it’s about exploration and the importance of those things to humanity and our place in the universe,” Scherz told NPR.
There’s still plenty for scientists to discover right here on planet Earth. Every year, researchers find new species in places like Madagascar. Many amphibian species face endangerment. The more scientists learn and discover, they more they can help.
Why? Scientists regularly learn new things about God’s creation. The more we learn about it, the better we can care for it.
