New Frog Species Discovered in Ecuador After 100 Years

Topic: Biology

Scientists at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador discovered a new frog species, Pristimantis milpe, that was hiding in plain sight for over 100 years. The team studied specimens collected in the 19th century and compared them with living populations to confirm the discovery.

Scientists at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador have formally described a new frog species called Pristimantis milpe. This species was mistaken for another one for over a century.

The team studied specimens collected in Ecuador during the 19th century and preserved at the Natural History Museum in London. They compared these historical frogs with living populations from the Chocó forests of western Ecuador and southern Colombia. The study found that the old specimens had been incorrectly linked to a different species.

Pristimantis milpe is a widespread frog, easy to find, and has a distinctive nighttime call. Its known range covers over 67,000 square kilometers across the Chocó forests. This discovery highlights the importance of correctly connecting scientific names with living populations in nature.

The team's findings were published in the international journal ZooKeys. The study's lead author, Santiago Ron, traveled to England to investigate a classification problem that had persisted for over 100 years.

Why It Matters

This discovery shows how much we still have to learn about biodiversity. Even common animals can hide secrets, and solving these mysteries often depends on combining historical collections with modern research and observations.

Key Facts

• Pristimantis milpe is a new frog species discovered in Ecuador after over 100 years.
• The team studied specimens collected in the 19th century and compared them with living populations to confirm the discovery.
• The frog's known range covers over 67,000 square kilometers across the Chocó forests of western Ecuador and southern Colombia.
• Pristimantis milpe is a widespread frog, easy to find, and has a distinctive nighttime call.
• The study highlights the importance of correctly connecting scientific names with living populations in nature.

Key Terms

Pristimantis

A genus of frogs found in Central and South America

Chocó forests

Tropical rainforests located on the Pacific coast of Ecuador and Colombia

Implications

This discovery shows how much we still have to learn about biodiversity. Even common animals can hide secrets, and solving these mysteries often depends on combining historical collections with modern research and observations.