In total, about 3,500 different species of frogs were discovered and described, but after the last discovery there were at least 3,506 species. Six new miniature frogs have been found in the forests of Mexico. These are different species that all belong to the same genus: Craugastor bitonium, Craugastor candelariensis, Craugastor cueyatl, Craugastor polaclavus, Craugastor portilloensis, and Craugastor rubinus.
Frogs – regardless of their gender – have one other thing in common: they are very small. Craugastor grows to a maximum size of 15 mm and the size of even the smallest species does not exceed 13 mm. In addition, they are not born like tadpoles. They skip that stage, and as a result crawl out of eggs like full grown miniature frogs.
Some of the new frogs are micro-endemic and therefore live in a very small area. This makes them particularly vulnerable. In addition, due to their small stature, they are at the bottom of the food chain, they are threatened by climate change, and the frogs in any case suffer from a deadly fungal disease.
However, the researchers who discovered the frogs are hopeful that there may be a future for these tiny amphibians. They have identified and mapped several protected areas and hope to work with the government to better connect these areas.
“Lifelong food practitioner. Zombie geek. Explorer. Reader. Subtly charming gamer. Entrepreneur. Devoted analyst.”
More Stories
A 75-year-old German woman was found alive after spending 7 days and nights without food in the Thai jungle | abroad
More than 260 soldiers were evacuated from the Azov Stables Plant in Mariupol
Turkish President Erdogan plays hard: “We will not agree to Sweden and Finland joining NATO”