Researchers discover 7 new species of adorable miniature frogs

(Image credit: Courtesy PeerJ/10.7717/peerj.1011/fig-8)

published 4 June 2015

It was an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weenie, yellow polka-dot... frog?

Deep in the Atlantic Rainforests of Brazil, researchers have discovered seven new species of Brachycephalus — otherwise known as perhaps the cutest miniature frogs ever found. As described in a new paper by PeerJ, each species inhabits a different mountaintop in the region and is distinguishable by its unique skin colors and textures. However, with most members of genus staying under one centimeter long, the tiny amphibians are incredibly tough to find, often staying hidden in the leaf litter on the forest floor.

Because the frogs appear to be quite sensitive to temperature (hence the mountaintop homes), the researchers warn they are quite vulnerable to environmental pressures like climate change and logging, and say conservation efforts will be necessary to save the little frogs.