New frog species found in New York

Amid the skyscrapers, sidewalks and subways of New York City, scientists have discovered a new species of frog within view of the Statue of Liberty. In fact, the researchers who discovered the frog say the center of its range is Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The newly identified animal is among more than a dozen distinct leopard frog species. And, while it's 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, according to Leslie Rissler, program director with the National Science Foundation. "The species is completely distinct," CNN quoted Rissler as saying. "It has a very small range and it was quite a surprise to find a new species in New York City," she added. 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."