Poisonous frog calling ‘incessantly' for captured mate is new species in Brazil
In the forests of western Brazil, along the banks of a Juruá River tributary, researchers came upon more than a dozen tiny creatures, smaller than a nickel, flaunting bright colors that warned: 'stay away.'
They were poison dart frogs, and they were unlike any others the expedition team had seen before.
Jet back with metallic turquoise-green stripes and orange 'chrome' limbs, these frogs were members of a new species, according to an April 25 study published in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys.
Ranitomeya aquamarina, or the metallic poison frog, is the first new poison frog species of the Ranitomeya genus discovered in 13 years, according to researchers.
According to the study, the frogs were found in one section of preserved forest along the Eiru River, specifically clustered around bananeira brava plants, suggesting the species prefers the habitat these plants create.
The adult frogs were usually observed as couples, suggesting they are monogamous, according to the study. 'When we captured the females, the respective males called incessantly,' researchers said.
The metallic poison frog, active during daytime hours, has a long-lasting trill, or call, of 21–45 notes. While perched on leaves, the males begin calling out at dawn and vocalize for several hours before trailing off in the late morning.
Frogs may call to find a mate or establish their territory, according to experts.
When researchers played a recording of their own calls, the males acted territorial, responding to and approaching the sound, according to the study.
The species was noted to be active all day on rainy days.
'Metallic' warning colors
In life, the metallic poison frogs, just over half an inch big, have 'bright and aposematic' coloring, which is used as a defensive adaptation to warn predators they are toxic and don't taste good.
The species is described as having a jet black body with parallel metallic stripes ranging from light turquoise to pale yellowish green.
Their limbs are a 'metallic chrome orange' with dark crimson spots. They have relatively large hands and disc-shaped fingertips, several of which are significantly larger than the others, making them 'very agile,' according to the study.
Researchers said they don't believe the metallic poison frog is abundant throughout its range as it was only found in one of the four sites they searched. More information is needed to determine its conservation status.
The Eiru River is a tributary of the Juruá River in Brazil's Amazonas state.
The research team included Alexander Tamanini Mônico, Esteban Diego Koch, Jussara Santos Dayrell, Jiří Moravec and Albertina Pimentel Lima.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
7 hours ago
- Miami Herald
‘Long'-tailed creature found hiding in fallen log at night. It's a new species
As night settled over a forest in Malaysia, a 'long'-tailed creature emerged from its hiding place. Its 'large' mosaic-like eyes scanned the dark landscape, but it wasn't the only one looking around. Passing scientists found the lurking animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers hiked into the forests of Thailand and Malaysia over several years to document the rich biodiversity, according to a study published June 12 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. During their visits, researchers found dozens of lizards with various white-striped patterns, the study said. Initially, the team identified the lizards as a known species of gecko found on some Malaysian islands — until they looked closer. The mainland geckos had subtle but significant differences in appearance and DNA when compared to the island geckos, the study said. Researchers realized they'd discovered a new species: Cyrtodactylus peninsularis, or the peninsula bent-toed gecko. Peninsula bent-toed geckos have 'long' bodies and 'long' tails, reaching over 10 inches in length overall, the study said. Their heads are 'triangular' and 'somewhat flattened' with 'large' eyes. Their fingers and toes are 'bent' and have 'well-developed' claws. Photos show the 'extremely variable' pattern of the new species, which 'essentially defies a concise meaningful description.' Peninsula bent-toed geckos generally have white stripes criss-crossing their bodies and forming a network-like pattern on their heads. Some geckos have yellow-ish markings. Overall, their colors vary from light brown to dark brown to reddish brown to almost black, photos show. Peninsula bent-toed geckos are nocturnal, climbing lizards, the study said. They are 'relatively common' and live in forests at elevations of up to about 2,600 feet. They were 'usually seen climbing on tree trunks, branches, exposed roots, and fallen logs where there are nearby crevices and holes into which they can quickly retreat when threatened.' Researchers sometimes found several lizards 'on the same large tree' at heights of up to 16 feet off the ground, the study said. Researchers said they named the new species after the Latin word for peninsula because it is found on 'the Thai-Malay Peninsula of southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore.' The new species was identified by its DNA, body proportions, size, scale pattern, texture, pores and other subtle physical features, the study said. The research team included L. Lee Grismer, Amanda Kaatz, Jesse Grismer, Eddie Nguyen, Jeren Gregory, Perry Wood Jr., Matthew Murdoch, Shahrul Anuar, Chan Kin Onn, Muhamad Muin, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Nikolay Poyarkov and Evan Quah.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
‘Large' venomous creature — with babies on back — is new species in Thailand
Motherhood looks different for animals around the world. Frog mothers lay eggs and never see their young grow, while elephants have live births, then stay with their young for more than a decade. For one group of mothers in the forests of Doi Phu Kha National Park, their babies hang around — and use mom's body for a free ride. Scorpiops doiphukha, or the Doi Phu Kha scorpion, was recently discovered as a new species in Thailand's northern mountains, according to a study published June 12 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. 'The scorpions were primarily observed hiding within rock crevices on rock walls and were exclusively found at night in ambush positions, waiting for potential prey to crawl near their hiding spots,' researchers said. 'Juvenile specimens were often found outside these crevices, crawling on rock and soil walls, frequently near the refuges of adult individuals.' These predators are about 2.5 inches long, considered 'large' compared to other species in the same genus, according to the study. Females of the species are 'yellowish brown' while males are more 'reddish brown,' researchers said. Their legs and telson, or the stinger on the end of the tail, are also yellowish brown, with the legs 'intensely spotted.' There is significant sexual dimorphism, or physical traits that differ between males and females, according to the study. Males have 'markedly elongated' pedpalps, the large leg-like appendages that appear like pincers on scorpions. In an image taken by researchers, a female Doi Phu Kha scorpion was seen carrying a mass of 'pre-juveniles' on her back, their bright white bodies in stark contrast to her brown body and the forest floor. '(The new species) is endemic to the hill evergreen forests of Doi Phu Kha National Park in Nan Province, Thailand, at approximately (5,000 feet) above sea level. These forests are characterized by dense vegetation, cooler temperatures (especially during dry season), and high humidity, creating an ideal microhabitat for the species,' according to the study. Scorpions are not insects but are arachnids like spiders, mites and ticks. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, and are most common in arid regions, according to National Geographic. The predators use their pincers to grab prey before using their telson to stab their meal, injecting the prey with venom, National Geographic says. Doi Phu Kha National Park is near the northern border of Thailand, just southwest of Laos. The research team includes Eric Ythier, Ondřej Košulič, Wasin Nawanetiwong and Wilson R. Lourenço.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
‘Large' creature with spines on its belly found at waterfall. It's a new species
As night settled across northern Vietnam, a 'large' creature with spines on its belly sat near a waterfall. Its 'dark green' eyes scanned the surrounding forest, but it wasn't the only one looking around. Visiting scientists spotted the 'stout' animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers hiked into the forests of three provinces in Vietnam several times between 2012 and 2021 to survey wildlife, according to a study published June 5 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. During their searches, researchers found several vaguely familiar-looking frogs, the study said. When they took a closer look at the animals and analyzed their DNA, the team noticed several distinctive features and realized they'd discovered a new species: Quasipaa ohlerae, or Ohler's spiny frog. Ohler's spiny frogs are considered 'large,' reaching over 4 inches in length, the study said. Their bodies are 'very stout' with 'rough' skin, 'short' arms and 'swollen' toes. Their 'enlarged' heads have 'dark green' eyes and a heart-shaped tongue. Photos show the new species. Seen from above, the frog is dark brown with pale brown stripes on its limbs. Seen from below, its belly is 'immaculate white' with 'black spines' on its upper chest, throat and arms, the study said. Ohler's spiny frogs were found at night in forests around 'the headwaters of rocky streams,' either 'in the water or on the ground of stream banks,' researchers said. Female frogs had 'yellowish cream eggs.' Researchers said they named the new species after 'colleague and friend' Annemarie Ohler, 'in recognition of her great contributions towards a better understanding of the amphibian systematics of the Indochinese region.' So far, Ohler's spiny frogs have been found in the three nearby provinces of Nghe An, Son La and Thanh Hoa in northern Vietnam along the border with Laos, the study said. The new species may also live in Laos, Thailand and China. The new species was identified by its size, skin texture, belly spines, coloring, eyes, toe shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least about 3% genetic divergence from other related species. The research team included Cuong The Pham, Chung Van Hoang, Tien Quang Phan, Anh Van Pham, An Vinh Ong, Vien Hong Thi Nguyen, Thomas Ziegler and Truong Quang Nguyen. The team also discovered a second new species: Binh's spiny frog.
