New Nyungwe squealing frog named Arthroleptis nyungwensis identified in Rwanda’s southern mountain forests
German biologists from the University of Koblenz-Landau have identified a new frog species in the forested mountains of southern Rwanda. The discovery centers on Arthroleptis nyungwensis, commonly called the Nyungwe squealing frog. The team published their findings in the scientific journal Variation, signaling a noteworthy addition to Africa’s amphibian diversity. The researchers describe a species that expands our understanding of how frogs adapt to mid-elevation tropical habitats and the unique acoustic cues they use to navigate their world. Source: Variation.
Nyungwe squeaking frogs are among the smaller amphibians, reaching roughly 1.5 centimeters in length. Their reddish-brown backs are speckled with white, creating a pattern that helps them blend into the leaf litter on the forest floor. These frogs occupy leaf-litter microhabitats at elevations between about 1.7 and 2.2 kilometers above sea level, where humidity preserves their skin and the understory provides shelter from predators. The habitat details point to a species finely tuned to montane microclimates that remain cool and damp most days. Source: Variation.
A distinctive feature highlighted by researchers is a piercing scream emitted by Arthroleptis nyungwensis. The vocalization resembles a very short, high-pitched whistle, somewhat akin to a child’s squeaky toy, and it can fluctuate with trills and whistles. Scientists suggest such calls function as warning signals in the presence of threats and as mating cues during courtship. The vocal repertoire appears to play a key role in territory establishment and species recognition within a dense forest soundscape. Source: Variation.
Genetic analyses reveal that Arthroleptis nyungwensis differs from closely related squeaking frogs by at least 4.6 percent in its genetic makeup. This level of divergence supports its status as a distinct species, with differences evident not only in vocal patterns but also in size, skin texture, and body form. The combination of morphological and genetic data strengthens the case for recognizing Nyungwe as a separate evolutionary lineage within its genus. Source: Variation.
In related news from a different ecosystem, researchers recently noted the discovery of a new cave-dwelling centipede in Brazil with unusual reproductive organs. This finding underscores the breadth of unexplored biodiversity in diverse habitats and highlights the ongoing importance of field-based exploration. Source: Variation.