Somewhere in the tropical rainforests of Panama's Mount Chucantí lies a tiny rainfrog that was completely new to science until recently. The mountain's high elevation (1000 m), and the resulting geographical isolation, makes it a unique landscape suitable to host several endemic species.
In 2012, after horseback riding and hiking up steep slopes for a herpetology expedition, an international team led by Dr Abel Batista and Dr Konrad Mebert came across a unique species. Scientists saw this hitherto unknown frog species lurking from the leaf of a bromeliad plant at night hours.
In 2018, after the team confirmed the new species’ novelty through DNA analysis, the research study sponsor Rainforest Trust held an auction. No, not to sell the discovery, but to allow the winner to name the species. Finally, the tiny frog was named after the climate activist Greta Thunberg, acknowledging her efforts to curb climate change.
The new species will now be called Pristimantis gretathunbergae!
"Rainforest Trust is deeply honoured to sponsor the naming of this exquisite and threatened Panamanian frog species for Greta Thunberg. Greta, more than anyone, reminds us that the future of every species on Earth depends on what we do right now to end climate change," said Rainforest Trust's CEO, Dr James Deutsch.
These frogs are about 3 to 4 centimetres long and spend most of their time tucked in the leaves of the bromeliad plants, where they sleep, mate, and lay their eggs. Their distinctive black eyes, contrasting yellow upper lip, a single conical to spine-like tubercle on the upper eyelid, and a large head make them unique from the rest of the rainfrogs of Central America.
The discovery of such new species from time to time helps highlight the importance of conserving unique yet threatened ecosystems, such as the Cerro Chucantí region of Panama. Unfortunately, their habitat faces numerous threats due to rapid deforestation and fragmentation, driven by small and medium-scale cattle ranchers. The Cerro Chucantí region has lost over 30% of its forest cover over the last decade.
Additionally, the deadly chytrid fungus plagues the newly discovered frog. The fungus is known to be an infamous tropical amphibian killer. Thus the authors suggest that the Thunberg rainfrog should be listed under the vulnerable to extinction category according to IUCN Red List criteria.
The results were published in the journal Zookeys last week and can be accessed here.
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