Latest news with #R.aetherea
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Science
- 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:
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
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@ 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).
