In the misty mountains of Ecuador, as the sun dips below the horizon, a chorus of loud chirps rises from the forest, piercing the sounds of rushing streams. These calls, emanating from tiny creatures camouflaged among the leaves, belong to a recently identified species of frogs. Two new species of these fascinating amphibians, known for their translucent bodies, have been discovered in the cloud forests of the Andes. The findings were published on August 20 in the journal PeerJ.
The newly identified species, Centrolene elisae and Centrolene marcoreyesi, are part of the glass frog family, a group named for the see-through skin on their bellies, which often reveals their internal organs.
Distinctive Features of Centrolene elisae
Named in honor of researcher Elisa Bonaccorso, Centrolene elisae is distinguished by its dark green coloration adorned with small white spots. This species is relatively small, with females measuring just under an inch long and slightly larger than their male counterparts. Researchers observed some variation in the intensity of the green hue among individuals.
One of the unique characteristics of C. elisae is its green bones, a trait common in glass frogs. The species was also found to lay yellow clutches of eggs on leaves, hanging delicately from the vegetation. These frogs emit a distinct two-pulsed call during the night, with the first note being notably longer than the second—a feature that sets them apart from other glass frog species that typically have a single-note call. C. elisae inhabits the cloud forests along the slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes and has been located in four distinct areas within this region.
Characteristics of Centrolene marcoreyesi
Centrolene marcoreyesi, the second newly identified species, exhibits a lighter green color on its back, arms, and limbs, with scattered whitish spots of varying sizes. The species has a yellowish-white upper lip and eyes with a subtle lavender tint. Like its counterpart, C. marcoreyesi also possesses green bones and a translucent stomach. However, it can be differentiated from other glass frog species by its unique lip color and the sloping shape of its snout.
This species produces a single-note call, though researchers noted slight variations in the call depending on the frog’s location. C. marcoreyesi was named in tribute to Marco M. Reyes-Puig, a prominent herpetologist and the original collector of this species during a field expedition.
Conservation Concerns
Despite the discovery of multiple specimens of both species, researchers warn that these frogs may be rare and are at risk of extinction. They recommend listing both C. elisae and C. marcoreyesi as endangered species due to the threats they face. Even though some of their habitats are within protected areas, the degradation of their environments, driven by cattle farming, the introduction of invasive species, and illegal as well as legal mining activities, poses significant dangers to their survival.
The two species were found on the eastern slopes of the Andes, a mountain range that runs through the heart of Ecuador. The research team that made this discovery included experts Daniela Franco-Mena, Ignacio De la Riva, Mateo A. Vega-Yánez, Paul Székely, Luis Amador, Diego Batallas, Juan P. Reyes-Puig, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Khristian Venegas-Valencia, Sandra P. Galeano, Jaime Culebras, and Juan M. Guayasamin.
The discovery of these new species highlights the rich biodiversity of the Ecuadorian Andes and the importance of preserving these delicate ecosystems for future generations.