The second smallest amphibian, up to one centimeter in size, was found in Brazil

In Brazil, zoologists have described a new species of short-headed frog, which is the second smallest species of amphibian after another representative of the same genus. The new species has a body size of up to one centimeter. Despite their diminutive size, these frogs have retained most of their bones and the ability to jump 31 times their body length. Studying this species will help distinguish it from others that look similar and develop strategies to protect them from extinction. Research published in the magazine peerj.

What did you learn about miniature frogs?

A new species of short-headed frogs Brachycephalus dacnis discovered in a private reserve in Brazil. The body length of adults is about 7,5 millimeters. Despite its miniature size, the frog has most of the bones found in larger frogs. This distinguishes it from other species of this genus, in which the bones of the skull usually grow or are lost altogether. Its genome differs by 7-8 percent from the closest related species.

From other representatives of this genus, the frog B. dacnis differs in elongated, not flattened, body shape and dark brown, not bright yellow or orange coloration. Because of this coloring, these frogs are more difficult to find, so scientists believe that there may be even more species of these miniature frogs. The study of this species will tell scientists more about such an evolutionary effect as miniaturization, when species not only become smaller in size, but also simpler in structure.