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Time of India

Copper-legged blue frog from poison dart family discovered in the Amazon rainforest

A new rarely-found amphibian has been discovered in the western Amazon dazzles with its mesmerising bright-blue body and unusual copper highlights on its limbs that makes it even more appealing and noticeable. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This creature is a part of the poison dart frog family and is named as Ranitomeya aetherea because of its sky-like tones. Also, they got official recognition as a new species recently. The team of Dr. Evan D. Koch, a researcher at the National Museum of the Czech Republic first discovered the frog in March 2023 at an unexplored region near the Juruá River. Blue poison dart frog discovered in Amazon The newly identified frog species features pale blue stripes over a darker-toned back, with shimmering legs speckled by uneven brown spots—giving it a truly distinctive have officially named the species Ranitomeya aetherea, inspired by its sky-coloured hues that evoke an almost otherworldly findings indicate that this frog resides in lowland regions of the Amazon rainforest, at elevations around 443 feet (135 meters). It is commonly seen resting on large-leaved plants within the area's moist, palm-dense environments. Blue frog: Unique colouring and potential venom Members of the Dendrobatidae family are famous for their powerful neurotoxins, with each species having its own distinct chemical of these frogs use bright, warning coloration to signal to predators that they are not a safe meal. While only a few R. aetherea specimens have been studied, researchers believe the frog's vivid markings suggest it may have toxic defenses, similar to other colorful species in the locals, vibrant frogs are a familiar sight, but the copper and pale stripes of this particular one are unusual. Field teams quickly observed that the frog's underside matches its light-blue hue and is dotted with dark spots. Blue frog characteristics According to a study, these frogs tend to remain near water-filled spaces in certain broad-leaf plants. These water pockets, called phytotelmata, house individual R. aetherea tadpoles at different stages of growth. Each tadpole has a tinted tail and a small oval mouth. As they mature, faint stripes begin to emerge on their tiny observations reveal that adults are most active during the early morning or late afternoon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Males often climb small plants, usually just a few feet above the ground, where they emit a series of rapid, chirping note that although solitary males may gather in the same area without obvious aggression, they seem to respond strongly to recorded calls played back to them. Blue frog's distinct call patterns and behaviour The calling sessions of this frog last less than a second and consist of a rapid burst of distinct, tonal notes. This pattern distinguishes it from some other relatives, whose calls are either shorter or have a different one observation, a male produced a longer series of calls when a female approached, hinting at the possibility of a 'courtship call.' The same male was later seen guiding the interested female toward a concealed leaf base with trapped water. This behavior provides insight into how they may form bonds or share parental duties. Newly discovered blue frog habitat Throughout South America, frogs of the Ranitomeya genus typically occupy very particular habitats. It has been over a decade since a new species within this genus was discovered, making this a significant find for biologists focused on amphibian biodiversity. What makes R. aetherea stand out is its soft copper-colored legs, which represent a unique evolutionary path within the group. Genetic research shows that R. aetherea is closely related to other species from the southwestern Amazon, but it maintains a distinct genetic lineage. Researchers suspect that these frogs have highly specific habitat preferences and territorial boundaries, suggesting that they may have a very restricted tendency to focus on specific territories makes these species particularly vulnerable to environmental changes such as deforestation and land development. Also read: