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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka

@dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social
488 followers 259 following 325 posts

Herptile-human interactions researcher. Author of Bilingual Guide to the Frogs of Zululand. Wildlife TV Producer. Multiple awards for inclusive science/herpetology.

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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The rainy season is back and we’re back outside training the next generation of herpetologists.
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Case study on one of our previous conservation focused papers that complied with the Nagoya Protocol in its combination of DNA barcoding and Indigenous knowledge. zenodo.org/records/2291...
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Co-authored 3 chapters covering the African context in this highly anticipated book (anticipated by me at least) on the global state of amphibian conservation which will be published 28 October. link.springer.com/book/9783032...
link.springer.com
Trends and Challenges in Amphibian Conservation
The book explores trends, challenges, and solutions in amphibian conservation with case studies, innovative tools, and policy insights.
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Álvaro Luna @alvaroluna87.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Understanding both predation and scavenging in cities is crucial as urban sprawl accelerates. Our review highlights key geographical biases and confirms that scavenging remains largely overlooked compared to predation. 🌎 🧪 #mammals #birds @bioeaf.bsky.social www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13...
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
A celebration of South Africa’s natural and cultural heritage. #HeritageMonth Print ready multilingual frog posters available for free download. figshare.com/articles/pos...
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
At 86, Sri Lanka’s ‘father of herpetology’ inspires a new conservation generation. news.mongabay.com/short-articl...
news.mongabay.com
At 86, Sri Lanka's 'father of herpetology' inspires a new conservation generation
Anslem de Silva is widely regarded as the father of modern herpetology in Sri Lanka. He has spent more than six decades documenting the island’s rich reptile and amphibian diversity while mentoring ge...
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Alejandro Fábregas-Tejeda @alejandrofabregastejeda.com · 14/09/2026
My 📗 is #openaccess thanks to the D2O program of @mitpress.bsky.social: direct.mit.edu/books/oa-mon... This initiative for equitable access to scholarship has just opened its new funding cycle: mitpress.mit.edu/the-mit-pres... 🙏 help spread the word & if you represent a library, do consider joining!
Promotional image of the Direct to Open (D2O) initiative of the MIT Press that allows academic books to be read open access. Promotional graphic on a beige background for the book "The Organism–Environment Pairing: A Historical and Philosophical Reappraisal" (MIT Press, 2026) by Alejandro Fábregas-Tejeda. The book cover appears in the center of the image and has a green gradient background. The book series label “The Vienna Series in Theoretical Biology” appears at the top. The title is set in large, bold lettering using three colors: white (“The” and “Pairing”), warm yellow (“Organism–”), and bright green (“Environment”). The subtitle appears below in smaller white text, and the author’s name is printed at the bottom. In the lower right, a monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) rests on clusters of pink milkweed flowers. Behind it, a large pale-green butterfly silhouette fills the background; its outline follows the shape of a red lacewing butterfly (Cethosia biblis).
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
We wanna know what you think about animals. Clink on link below and contribute to WASP (WORLD ARCHIVES OF SPECIES PERCEPTION) www.wasp-project.net/survey?fbcli...
wasp-project.net
WASP project
A survey of human perception for species
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
A Thick-toed Gecko, the more elusive of the 3 gecko species in our backyard made an appearance today. Difficult to elude people when it’s cold outside I guess.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
#NewSpecies! New #gecko from #india just climbed in: Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/03EE3708-... Publication: doi.org/10.11646/zoo... #Zootaxa #CyrtodactylusRaimonaensis #FAIRdata #taxonomy #nature #wildlife #conservation #animals #fauna #herpetology #herps #reptiles
Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis in life, holotype.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
#NewSpecies! New #skink from #china just snuck in: Scincella gigas Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/FEAFFE4E-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/zse.... #ZSEvolution #ScincellaGigas #FAIRdata #OA #taxonomy #biodiversity #nature #conservation #fauna #herpetology #herps #reptiles #squamata #lizards
Holotype of Scincella gigas in life, adult female.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
#NewSpecies New #diamond #frog from #madagascar just jumped in: Rhombophryne anatiala Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/2791B92F-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/vz.7... #VertebrateZoology #RhombophryneAnatiala #FAIRdata #taxonomy #biodiversity #nature #animals #fauna #herps #amphibia #frogfriday
Rhombophryne anatiala, adult female paratype in life shown in dorsolateral view.
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Sensory Ecology Lab @sensoryecology.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
“It’s not just you. Frogs also get overwhelmed when confronted with too many options — and sometimes, they make bad decisions.” #scicomm #bioacoustics www.sciencenews.org/article/choi... 🧪 🐸
sciencenews.org
Too many choices complicate female frogs’ sex lives
In the lab, female frogs were less likely to choose preferred males as mating calls increased, potentially giving other males a better shot.
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Lindsey Swierk @lindseyswierk.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
🦎*Please share!*🦎 The Swierk Lab is recruiting 1-2 PhD students for Fall 27 / Spr 28 to study Neotropical anole 1) body coloration and visual signals or 2) predator avoidance, diving, and respiration. Please contact only by email. More info and contact details here: drive.google.com/file/d/1TGmC...
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IPBES @ipbes.net · 07/08/2026
Learn how Indigenous knowledge can help shape global biodiversity policy:
teaonews.co.nz
Māori voice helping shape global biodiversity policy
Brenda Tahi brings Māori wānanga to IPBES, urging meaningful inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in global biodiversity policy as she co-authors a 2028 report after workshops in Kenya and Thailand.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
#NewSpecies! New #frog from #ecuador just jumped in: Pristimantis milpe Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/B0061B8E-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/zook... #ZooKeys #PristimantisMilpe #FAIRdata #taxonomy #biodiversity #nature #conservation #animals #fauna #herpetology #herps #amphibia #frogfriday
Living adult female of Pristimantis milpe.
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Explain to me why I am nervous when it’s my student presenting their research, yet calm when it’s my turn to talk about frogs in front of peers?
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Sabhrina Aninta @sagitaninta.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
"Drawing on an analysis of over 100000 articles in ecology-related disciplines [...], we show that the shift to pay-to-publish OA has already reduced participation by researchers from many middle-income countries." nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Payment‐based open access is biasing scientific participation from the Global South in ecology
Opening access to the products of scientific research is widely considered a key step toward both fairness and better science worldwide. Since the 1990s, different forms of open access (OA) to journa...
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Every morning this pigeon coup attempt provides evidence for published research. That pigeon is completely unbothered by my presence.
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Jack @jackinpogform.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Still from Rogue One. An imperial commander asks Mads Mikkelson

"Bluesky? Really? A man of your talents?"


He responds: "its a simple life."
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The Onion @theonion.com · 30/07/2026
See what consumers have to say about DuckDuckGo's perplexingly analog sunglasses. Head to knockaround.com/products/duckduckgo… to purchase. #DuckDuckGo #knockaround #sponsored
Consumers react to DuckDuckGo's New Sunglasses
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
We wanna know what you think about animals. Clink on link below and contribute to WASP (WORLD ARCHIVES OF SPECIES PERCEPTION) www.wasp-project.net/survey?fbcli...
wasp-project.net
WASP project
A survey of human perception for species
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Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition. Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
A few years ago I was surprised to learn that my childhood favourite dinosaur fossils can be owned privately. Since then I’ve come to learn that my beloved field of Zoology has aspects I really don’t like. theconversation.com/fossils-are-...
theconversation.com
Fossils are scientific evidence, and shouldn’t be auctioned for millions to private buyers
Dinosaur fossils are sold for millions to private collectors. These fossils are scientific evidence, and need to be accessible for research and public education.
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Dave @kirkie.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
This story has upset me www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Tyrannosaurus Rex most expensive dinosaur ever sold
The dinosaur skeleton, which roamed the planet 67 million years ago, was sold by Sotheby's in New York.
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The Royal Society @royalsociety.org · 14/07/2026
Our University Research Fellowships are now open for applications. This scheme provides outstanding early-career scientists with the opportunity to build an independent research careers and pursue cutting edge scientific research. Find out more and apply now: royalsociety.org/grants/unive...
A close-up image of crystals under a microscope.
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reptilesmagazine.bsky.social @reptilesmagazine.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Do you remember the video of the desert rain frog? #rainfrog #Breviceps #SouthAfrica #EndangeredSpecies reptilesmagazine.com/desert-rain-...
reptilesmagazine.com
Desert Rain Frog Moved To Vulnerable on IUCN Red List - Reptiles Magazine
The desert rain frog is also known as the web-footed rain frog and Boulenger's short-headed frog. They come out after rains to feed.
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AmphibiaWeb @amphibiaweb.org · 10/07/2026
Attending #JMIH in New Orleans? Come see the AmphibiaWeb poster on Saturday! Say hi to Jim McGuire and team members! Share your love and support with AmphibiaWeb's inaugural tshirt campaign: www.customink.com/fundraising/...
small image of AmphibiaWeb's 2026 poster: celebrating 9,000 amphibians
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Allison Pregler 📼🎃 @allisonpregler.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
This is an actual storyboard for Evil Dead 2. People don't need AI to make beautiful art.
A storyboard for Evil Dead 2. A crude cartoon man screams at a big, squiggly hand. He has a giant O for a mouth.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
#NewSpecies! New #caecilian from #india just snuck in: Gegeneophis bavali Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/03D287EC-... Publication: doi.org/10.11646/zoo... #Zootaxa #GegeneophisBavali #FAIRdata #taxonomy #ecology #biodiversity #nature #conservation #animals #fauna #herpetology #herps #amphibia
Holotype specimen of Gegeneophis bavali.
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Show someone how to look for frogs and write about looking for frogs. In return they get a postgrad degree and we rejoice. I’d say that’s a fair trade.
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Karen R. Lips @karenrlips.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
🧪🦎🌵Super cool desert lizard survival tools: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
pnas.org
Soil water harvest inspired by desert horned lizards, Phrynosoma platyrhinos | PNAS
Desert environments pose severe water scarcity challenges, leading to unique adaptations among native fauna. Notably, many species of desert horned...
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AmphibiaWeb @amphibiaweb.org · 29/06/2026
Howell et al. (2026) investigated why amphibian numbers are declining in the American Everglades in Florida. They found both bottom-up (nutrient limitation) and top-down effects, with invasive Asian Eels predating on aquatic amphibians. Read more at AmphibiaWeb.org #AWNews
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
The sights in between frogging sites. Flying home from Kenya over Tanzania to start preparing for a busy end of year frog research schedule.
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New Scientist @newscientist.com · 26/06/2026
DNA from ancient humans has been found on a prehistoric cave painting and on cave walls, demonstrating the potential to one day identify individual artists and resolve the debate over Neanderthals' artistic abilities
newscientist.com
Ancient human DNA found on cave art for the first time
DNA from ancient humans has been found on a prehistoric cave painting and on cave walls, demonstrating the potential to one day identify individual artists and resolve the debate over Neanderthals' artistic abilities
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
#NewSpecies New marsupial #frog from #peru just jumped in: Gastrotheca mittaliiti Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/03C6E351-... Publication: doi.org/10.11646/zoo... #Zootaxa #GastrothecaMittaliiti #FAIRdata #taxonomy #nature #conservation #animals #fauna #herpetology #herps #amphibia #frogfriday
Male paratype of Gastrotheca mittaliiti in life.
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Conference on Reptile and Amphibian Knowledge (CROAK) 2026 @croak-conference.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Save the date! We are very happy to announce the first CROAK - Conference on Reptile and Amphibian Knowledge - to be held at the Rigg and Furrow Brewery in Northumberland on 15 –16 September 2026. We welcome delegates from all backgrounds and will soon open abstract submissions and registration. +
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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 24/06/2026
Media: "This heatwave is unprecedented" All the experts who've spent the last five decades precedenting it:
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Grantham Research Institute at LSE @granthamlse.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
We regret that our event on Extreme Heat: Improving governance and strengthening action around the world has been cancelled due to the red extreme heat warning issued by the UK Met Office. Our apologies to everyone who was planning to attend the event.
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Someone tell them to stop, the last time fish dabbled in walking we eventually ended up with us being the dominant species.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
#NewSpecies! New odorous frog from #china just jumped in: Odorrana yangi Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/D1CE6E9B-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/zook... #ZooKeys #OdorranaYangi #FAIRdata #OA #biology #ecology #biodiversity #wildlife #conservation #fauna #herpetology #herps #frogfriday #frogs
Paratype of Odorrana yangi in life, lateral view of the male.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
#NewSpecies! New #skink from #vietnam just snuck in: Sphenomorphus puhoatensis Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/EF1BEF71-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/zook... #ZooKeys #SphenomorphusPuhoatensis #FAIRdata #OA #biology #nature #wildlife #animals #fauna #herpetology #reptiles #squamata #lizards
Holotype of Sphenomorphus puhoatensis in life, adult male.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
#NewSpecies! New #snake from #india just sidled in: Trachischium lalremsangai Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/8E4ED142-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/herp... #Herpetozoa #TrachischiumLalremsangai #FAIRdata #OA #taxonomy #ecology #biodiversity #nature #wildlife #animals #fauna #herps #reptilia
Trachischium lalremsangai, holotype male in situ.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
#NewSpecies! New odorous frog from #vietnam just jumped in: Odorrana nagao Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/FA4DCB78-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/zook... #ZooKeys #OdorranaNagao #FAIRdata #science #OA #ecology #biodiversity #nature #conservation #animals #fauna #herpetology #amphibia #frogs
Dorsolateral view of Odorrana nagao, holotype, male, in life.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
#NewSpecies! New #lizard from #thailand just snuck in: Calotes thailandensis Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/AE0E7692-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/zook... #ZooKeys #CalotesThailandensis #FAIRdata #OA #taxonomy #biodiversity #nature #wildlife #conservation #animals #herps #reptiles #squamata
Uncollected male of Calotes thailandensis on breeding season.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
#NewSpecies! New pit viper from #pakistan just sidled in: Gloydius hindukushensis Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/78DE78E2-... Publication: doi.org/10.3897/zook... #ZooKeys #GloydiusHindukushensis #FAIRdata #nature #wildlife #conservation #herpetology #herps #reptilia #snakes #viper #pitviper
Paratype of Gloydius hindukushensis in nature.
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
#NewSpecies! New snake from #pakistan just sidled in: Calamaria mizoramensis Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/BC1087DE-... Publication: doi.org/10.11646/zoo... #Zootaxa #CalamariaMizoramensis #FAIRdata #OA #taxonomy #biodiversity #nature #conservation #fauna #herpetology #herps #reptilia #snakes
Calamaria mizoramensis in life and in situ.
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Dr Fortunate Mafeta Phaka @dr-mafeta-phaka.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Them: Cool water feature right? Me: Yes, but have you seen the tadpoles in the water? #Herpetology #Nairobi #Kenya
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Plazi @plazi-species.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
#NewSpecies! New #leafminer fly from #usa just came flew in: Liriomyza konza Treatment: treatment.plazi.org/id/038B879B-... Publication: doi.org/10.11646/zoo... #Zootaxa #LiriomyzaKonza #FAIRdata #OA #taxonomy #biodiversity #nature #conservation #animals #fauna #entomology #insects #diptera #fly
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