Peruvian researchers have identified a new poison dart frog in the Amazon rainforest, adding to the region\u2019s rich array of wildlife. The tiny creature, called Ranitomeya hwata, stands out with its bright yellow stripes on the back, a spotted belly, and a black band across its throat that sets it apart from similar frogs. At just 15 millimeters long, it ranks as the smallest in its genus.<\/p>\n
A team of scientists from Peru, Germany, Brazil, the United States, and Spain made the find during fieldwork in Alto Purus National Park<\/a>, near the border with Brazil. Local experts included Giussepe Gagliardi-Urrutia from the Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazon\u00eda Peruana, Juan C. Chaparro from the Museo de Biodiversidad del Per\u00fa, and Roberto Guti\u00e9rrez Poblete from the Museo de Historia Natural at the Universidad Nacional de San Agust\u00edn de Arequipa. They detailed their work in the journal Zootaxa, and Peru\u2019s National Service of Protected Natural Areas announced it this week.<\/p>\n These frogs stick to bamboo groves in the Guadua plant family. They lay eggs inside the plant\u2019s hollow stems, which collect rainwater and form small pools perfect for tadpoles. Males show unusual habits by calling several females to one spot for breeding, a setup that sets them apart from other dart frogs in the area.<\/p>\n