Scarab beetle found on Pulau Ubin new to science

Said Tan: “The findings are also important because they include surveys that included several nationally critically endangered species, including the greater club rush, which had been presumed nationally extinct until its rediscovery in 2023, as well as the first Singapore record of the nationally critically endangered elegant fig.”

Speaking to The Straits Times, Cheong Loong Fah, an honorary research associate at NUS’ Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, who was involved in the discovery of the new species of scarab beetle, said it was unearthed during about 12 full days of surveying conducted over the span of three years on Pulau Ubin.

Although it was unlike anything he had seen before, Cheong could not be sure it was a new species.

Following consultation with an expert, he executed a genitalia dissection, which is a standard procedure that allowed the new species to be identified.

On the significance of the finding, Cheong said it showed that Singapore contains unimaginable biodiversity.

He also said with the number of insects declining drastically owing to factors like climate change, the discovery is a reminder to continue researching the role beetles play.

“They play a very important role in the whole functioning of the ecosystem. They are found in all kinds of microhabitats, so they play the role of pollinators, probably second to butterflies,” he said, adding that they also have a major role as decomposers.

NParks’ group director for conservation Lim Liang Jim said the discovery of the two unique species on Pulau Ubin showed there is still rich biodiversity in the country.

“The more you look in Singapore, the more things you will find. The richness of our biodiversity really plays up the fact that we are a city in nature,” he said, adding that the new publication can be beneficial to academics as a reference tool and for conservationists, to educate their work of protection and rejuvenation.

It can also be a basis for those in the field to engage the wider population to help them understand and appreciate the biodiversity.

Separately, Tan provided updates on the cryptic painted frog, a vulnerable nocturnal rainforest animal that was previously confined to the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves and their surrounding nature parks.

He said following conservation efforts, the species is now showing encouraging signs that they are thriving and breeding naturally on Pulau Ubin.

Tadpoles were introduced at two sites on the island in June 2024 and March 2025, supported by artificial phytotelm habitats which are water-filled cavities in large trees or fallen rotting logs.

Adult frogs were also moved from nature reserves on the mainland to Pulau Ubin in July 2025.

In August 2025, NParks observed four cryptic painted frog tadpoles and a clutch of eggs, indicating that the adult frogs from the introduced batch of tadpoles were adapting well to their new habitat and breeding successfully.

The first Ubin-bred cryptic painted frog was observed in October 2025 and NParks has since more than doubled the number of artificial phytotelms on the island to further support the population.

In April, a survey recorded a total of 31 tadpoles in the various phytotelms, up from 12 tadpoles in October 2025, offering an encouraging outlook for the species’ long-term survival.

“As an indicator of ecosystem health, the cryptic painted frog’s successful introduction on Pulau Ubin also provides valuable insights into the condition of the island’s habitats,” NParks said.