logo
#

Latest news with #RanitomeyaAquamarina

Two new poisonous frog species discovered: Scientists issue warning
Two new poisonous frog species discovered: Scientists issue warning

Time of India

time17-05-2025

  • Science
  • Time of India

Two new poisonous frog species discovered: Scientists issue warning

Image credits: X/@ehehe__he, @HerpsInTheNews In a shocking and intriguing discovery, two new species of poison dart frogs have been identified by scientists in the remote Brazilian Amazon , highlighting how little is truly known about the biodiversity in the rainforest. The discoveries were published in ZooKeys and PLOS One, revealing that these species are in the genus Ranitomeya, which hasn't been seen for more than a decade. The journey towards a discovery Reaching the newly discovered frogs required a challenging journey which began with a small plane flight followed by a 10-hour boat ride in the Juruá River, near the Brazil-Peru border. Identifying these frogs required more effort than just visual inspection, as they are nearly identical. 'Very distinct species can have the same appearance: the same colours and the same pattern,' explained Koch. He added that the situation is further complicated because 'sometimes a single species can have multiple patterns of colour.' Thus, to confirm their findings, scientists performed genetic sequencing, detailed morphological measurements under microscopes and acoustic analyses of mating calls. According to the results, both species occupy different branches on the evolutionary tree, confirming they are separate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo Ranitomeya Aquamarina Image credits: X/@ehehe__he The first species, Ranitomeya Aquamarina, also known as the "metallic poison frog", is notable for its unique turquoise stripes against a jet-black body. These frogs often appear in pairs, indicating a monogamy that is rare in amphibians. They tend to stay together for long periods, which is not typical for dart frogs. Ranitomeya Aetherea Image credits: X/@HerpsInTheNews The second species is called Ranitomeya aetherea, known for its sky blue stripes on a brick red body. Both species measure roughly about 15 to 17 millimetres, about the diameter of a dime, making them among the tiniest poison dart frogs ever documented. Unlike the species above, the Ranitomeya aetherea males are typically solitary and engage in frequent advertising calls to attract females, who don't stay in one spot for long. While these discoveries mark a significant addition in the identification of rare Amazon species, their existence is threatened by the rapid deforestation being carried out in the area. Since they are found in small volumes in areas just a few miles apart, they are vulnerable, and their exact conservation status still remains unknown.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store