New species of poisonous frog discovered in Ecuador

It has an unusual name… “Disconcerting”. From its scientific name excidobates perplexus, the small amphibian measuring 15.1 to 18.3 millimeters long was discovered by researchers in Ecuador.

Two cohorts were identified at the Paute River and north of the Cordillera del Condor, in the south of the country. “The new species belongs to the genus Excidobates, a group of poisonous frogs whose diversity is not yet fully known,” Inabio wrote in a press release.

A surprising appearance

Although they are the same species, the two populations discovered are not the same color. The one from the Condor Cordillera has a green back and irregular yellow spots while the other is black with scarlet red patterns.

This astonishing palette of colors within the same species has led researchers to name it perplexus, which can be translated as “disconcerting”, “confusing”, “perplexed”. A genetic analysis confirmed that they were not different species.

Threatened by the mining industry

“This new species faces several threats; the Condor population is found in large mining concessions intended for the extraction of copper, gold and molybdenum,” according to Inabio. Additionally, these frogs are coveted on the black market as collectible animals. Excidobates perplexus live in well-preserved forests, where trees taller than 15 meters provide prime perches for males to croak.

The discovery is credited to scientists from Inabio, Jungle Dave's Science Foundation, San Francisco University of Quito, Azuay University, Nukamp Foundation, University of Central Florida and the Catholic University of Ecuador. The description of “disconcerting” was published in the journal Zootaxa.