Ecuador researchers discover new poison dart frog species

Researchers in Ecuador have identified a new species of poison dart frog, named Excidobates perplexus. Measuring between 15.1 and 18.3 millimeters in length, the species is considered critically endangered due to mining activities and illegal wildlife trafficking.

The species earned its name, which translates to “perplexing” or “confusing,” because of the striking color differences between its two known populations. One population, found in the Paute River basin, features a black back with scarlet tones and red patterns on its sides and belly. In contrast, the population located in the northern Cordillera del Cóndor has a green back with irregular yellow spots and a yellow belly.

Despite these visual differences, morphological, genetic, acoustic, and ecological analyses confirmed they are the same species, with a genetic distance of only 0.6% to 0.7% between the populations. The frogs inhabit well-preserved mature forests characterized by trees exceeding 15 meters in height.