Biologists have discovered an incredibly cute tiny “pumpkin” frog, previously unknown to science, in the Brazilian tropical rainforest. This amphibian boasts a striking orange body adorned with distinctive green and brown spots, delicate little legs, and coal-black eyes, as reported by DailyMail.
Discovery in the Cloud Forests: How Brazil’s Smallest Frog Was Found
Measuring approximately three and a half centimeters in length—barely larger than the tip of a pencil—this adorable frog was found deep within the cloud forests of the Serra do Kiriri mountain range in southern Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
Scientists say this is a new member of the Brachycephalus genus, one of the smallest four-legged animals on Earth. The species has been named Brachycephalus lulai in honor of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The Size of a Pea and a Unique Call: What Sets This New Frog Species Apart
Males of this species measure between 8.9 and 11.3 millimeters—about the size of a large pea. Meanwhile, females are typically larger than males, ranging from 11.7 to 13.4 millimeters.
Researchers identified this specimen by its —a mating song unlike those produced by other known Brachycephalus frogs in the area. It consists of pairs of two short sound signals, which led the team to the frog’s location.
Belonging to a group of miniature “pumpkin frogs” that thrive in moist leaf litter, this species is distinguished by its vibrant coloration, as well as genetic and anatomical features that set it apart from closely related frogs in the vicinity.
Conserving Microendemic Species: Why Tiny Frogs Need Big Protection
various tools and methods to ensure that this frog is distinct from its relatives, including DNA analysis and computed tomography to study its skeletal structure.
“As a result of this work, we have identified and describe here a population collected on the eastern slope of Serra do Kiriri as a new species based on several diagnostic traits,” the researchers report. For several years, scientists have scoured the Atlantic Forest region to find and catalog species from the Brachycephalus genus. Brachycephalus frogs are , meaning they are found only in a small, limited area and are vulnerable to extinction.
B. lulai occupies a range estimated at just a few square kilometers of high-altitude Atlantic Forest. In their article published in PLOS One, where this species is described, the scientists note that it is currently classified as “least concern,” meaning it is not at immediate risk of extinction.
However, its discovery has sparked renewed calls to strengthen the protection of the region’s fragile ecosystems. “This status is based on the absence of observed ongoing declines and the apparent lack of likely future threats,” the researchers say. “Nevertheless, it is important to continue systematically monitoring this situation.”
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