Scientists discover a tiny, pouch-carrying frog in the Peruvian Amazon

A new species of marsupial frog, named Gastrotheca mittaliti, has been found in the Peruvian Amazon. Scientists from Florida International University and the University of Seville worked together on the discovery, which was later detailed in the journal Zootaxa. The frog was located in the mountainous areas of Peru's Amazonas region. It stands out for its bright green colour and tiny bumps along its back. Measuring just 2.7 to 3.3 centimetres long, it is one of the smaller amphibians in the area.

Unlike most frogs, this species carries its eggs and tadpoles in a special pouch on its back. The eggs develop fully inside this pouch, meaning they do not need water to survive. This rare trait makes the frog particularly unusual among amphibians. Despite its discovery, little is known about how many remain in the wild. The species has already been classified as 'critically endangered' due to ongoing threats. Climate change and increasing wildfires in the region put its fragile habitat at risk.

The findings were published in Zootaxa, adding to the growing list of unique species found in the Amazon. Researchers have highlighted the urgency of protecting this newly identified frog. Without intervention, its survival remains uncertain in the face of environmental pressures.