New Amazon frog species identified by its slow song
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Scientists in Ecuador and Brazil discovered a new species of frog, Adenomera varcena, in the Amazonian floodplain forests.
The researchers distinguished the tiny brown frog, measuring between 22 and 24 millimeters, from related species by analyzing its unusually slow call. While other frogs in its genus can produce up to 70 notes per minute, A. varcena calls only one to five times each minute. Biologists classify A. varcena as a “cryptic species” because it closely resembles other frogs in appearance.
Researchers believe the frog’s evolution prioritised its call over its physical traits, as females are attracted by the song. Thiago Carvalho, a herpetologist at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, first identified potential genetic differences within the species complex in 2020, prompting further investigation. The new species differs from its closest relatives by inhabiting floodplains, while they live in dry land forests.
Marianna Borburema, the study’s lead author and a researcher at the University of São Paulo, emphasised the importance of documenting this species to ensure its protection. She noted that awareness is the first step toward conservation.
