New Poison Dart Frog Species Discovered
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A new species of poison dart frog has been discovered in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, where dense rainforests host some of the most diverse and complex ecosystems on Earth.
In a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, a joint team of Brazilian and Czech researchers have identified Rantomeya aetherea, a colorful species characterized by its distinctive sky-blue dorsal stripes and metallic-looking copper limbs.
This small amphibian, which only grow up to 0.6 inches long, has a unique look that sets it apart from all of the other currently known poison dart frogs .
Besides its distinctive and bright coloration, it also features a ring-shaped granular region right on the belly, and toes with poorly developed lateral fingers.
Adult individuals of Ranitomeya aetherea sp.
Adult individuals of Ranitomeya aetherea sp.
Koch et al., 2025, PLOS One, CC-BY 4.0
Considered one of Earth's most toxic species, poison dart frogs come in a wide range of bright colors—including yellow, orange, red, green and blue.
According to the McGill University office for science and society, several species of poison dart frogs contain such powerful toxins in their body that can kill an adult human by just brushing against its poisonous skin.
While it is still unclear exactly where their poison actually comes from, scientists believe it could be due to some of the insects that they eat.
Beyond its unique appearance, R. aetherea also displays some fascinating behavioral traits. Its mating call consists of 16 to 35 notes, sung over a duration of 8.2–16.9 milliseconds.
The frog was discovered in the Juruá River basin. The surrounding western Brazilian Amazon remains one of the least sampled parts of the entire rainforest, thanks in no small part to its remote location and other accessibility challenges,
This may explain why R. aetherea has evaded detection until now—and why no new species have been identified in around a decade.
R. aetherea was only recorded at one site, in the middle of a rain-resistant forest with palms. It is a diurnal species, typically active in the early hours of the morning and late afternoon, though can be active all day when it rains.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about poison dart frogs? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Reference
Koch, E. D., Mônico, A. T., Dayrell, J. S., Ferreira, A. S., Dantas, S. P., Moravec, J., & Lima, A. P. (2025). A remarkable new blue Ranitomeya species (Anura: Dendrobatidae) with copper metallic legs from open forests of Juruá River Basin, Amazonia. PLOS ONE, 20(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321748
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