The Indonesian Dragon and Operation Wallacea

This adorable little dragon was recently discovered during a herpetology study in Indonesia.  Although it is most likely related to the gliding dragons, a well described albeit somewhat rare species of lizard, it is making a big splash across the internet today.  (Perhaps because dragon jokes are just so easy for us internet folks! And because it is really really cute.)

The beautiful russet wings of the diminutive Indonesian dragon are one of its most striking features.  The gliding lizards "fly" in the same way that flying squirrels do - with a flap of skin that connects their forearms to their rib cage.  In fact, the rib cage forms part of the "wings," as these movable ribs help to support the membrane during flight.

The Draco genus of flying lizards includes many colorful specimens, although when it folds them in upon landing it assumes a more camouflaged color.  Flying dragons use their wings to move from one place to another to find more prey, or to follow the sun.  They do not pursue their prey in flight, but instead crouch against the tree bark and wait for a likely victim to wander past. They then snap it up, with the aid of their sticky tongues.  Nom!

This little lass (she was discovered laying eggs in a nest) was found under an Operation Wallacea survey.  Operation Wallacea describes itself as "a series of biological and social science expedition projects that operate in remote locations across the world."  Operation Wallacea is dedicated to saving some of the most remote areas and valuable species, and has not incidentally become somewhat famous in cryptozoology circles.

Because they are sending large survey teams of experienced and qualified biologists into the field - the very remote field - Operation Wallacea has turned up some truly interesting specimens.  Along with undescribed specimens like the little dragon, they have also re-discovered four species previously thought to be extinct.  They have also scientifically described more than 20 new vertebrate species, including snakes, frogs, and small mammals.  

One of these thought to be extinct species was a rough skinned frog in the rain forests of Honduras.  The Miles' Robber Frog was thought to have been extinct for 20 years, which was thought to have been wiped out by a fatal fungus called "Bd" that swept through the population in the 1980s.  However, it seems that some members of the species have evolved a resistance to the fungus.  The recently captured Miles' Robber Frog was found in an area known to be contaminated by the lethal Bd fungus, but it was quite fine.  

Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, Operation Wallacea is operating against the clock. They are focusing on threatened areas, hoping to describe the species there before it is too late.  In Indonesia alone they are racing to stay ahead of palm oil tree plantation plantings, and describing coral reefs before they can succumb to the coral bleaching which is happening across the world's oceans.