Chinese Scientists Discover New Frog Species, Name It After Gongfu Heritage

Chinese researchers have identified a new frog species in Guangdong province and named it in honour of the region’s famed gongfu culture.

The species, Leptobrachella kungfu, was discovered by scientists from the Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering and the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Science. The frogs were found in mountainous areas surrounding Foshan, a city celebrated as the birthplace of Chinese martial arts.

The findings were published on Nov. 11 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys.

According to the research team, Leptobrachella kungfu is distinguished by its small body size, slightly webbed toes with broad edges, and a creamy white abdomen. The six male specimens collected measured between 25.7mm and 28.2mm.

The name pays tribute to Foshan’s deep cultural roots as the ancestral home of martial arts icons such as Wong Fei Hung, Ip Man, and Bruce Lee.