A New Frog Duo Uncovered on a University Campus in Peru
On the campus of the Peruvian Amazon National University in Peru, a researcher заметки Rommel Rojas Zamora made an unusual discovery: a new frog species living right on campus grounds. The finding was reported in a magazine feature, signaling a surprising moment for the campus and the wider scientific community.
Zamora explains that the search began near the forested areas surrounding the university, in the Iquitos region. From among the local Rhinella frogs, he encountered individuals whose head and body form differed noticeably from typical members of the genus. This initial observation sparked a closer look at the specimens.
Further study involved careful anatomy checks and DNA analysis. The team compared skeletal features, limb proportions, skin texture, and genetic markers, concluding that the specimens represented two distinct, previously undocumented species. Scientists named these frogs Rhinella unapensis and Rhinella angeli. Their appearance mirrors fallen leaves, a natural camouflage that helps them blend into the Amazonian understory and evade predators on the plains.
The discovery adds to the known diversity of Rhinella in the region, where multiple related species share the same habitat. This finding underscores the richness of Amazonian ecosystems and the ongoing potential for new discoveries in familiar settings.
Earlier reports in other outlets noted how biodiversity studies often highlight striking color patterns in different animal groups, including hummingbirds, which are among the most colorful birds observed in the same broad habitat areas—though the current report focuses on frogs and their adaptive camouflage.