Scientists call a new frog species like Led Zeppelin. It is the first time that the name of a rock star has been given to an animal
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himScientists call a newly discovered frog species the rock band Led Zeppelin. It is the first time that the name of a rock star has been attributed to an animal species.
The new species of frog discovered by scientists from the National Institute of Biodiversity of the University of San Francisco de Quito University in the Ecuadorian Andes is called Pristimantis ledzeppelin, or even Led Zeppelin rain frog. The name, very unusual for an animal, is a tribute to one of the most influential rock groups of all time, the progenitor of hard rock and heavy metal.
The dimensions of this animal are very small: the males measure between 23 and 24 millimeters from the muzzle to the anus, while the females are larger and can measure up to 36 millimeters. It is characterized by copper-red eyes and a mixed color skin (orange, yellow, brown and black). The Led Zeppelin frog belongs to a genus of terrestrial frogs known as pristimantis, which contains 569 species and which is widespread mainly in Ecuador: as many as 28 new species have been discovered in the country in the last two years, including 14 on the southern slopes of the Andes. According to scientists, this region is one of the richest in small vertebrates, many of which are exclusive to this territory.
Credits: Neotropical Biodiversity
The new frog was spotted in a region called Condor mountain range, a mountain range between southeastern Ecuador and northern Peru. Scholars do not yet have much information on the region's biodiversity, but they are realizing that this area is the habitat of unique plant and animal species, which only live in the rainforest of this territory. Among these species, at least five belong to the genus pristimantis, in addition to the one discovered in recent days.
The spread of the species (Credits: Neotropical Biodiversity)
Due to the strong endemism typical of the Cordillera del Cóndor, it is likely that this new frog species is also found only in this small area of the planet - they explain scholars. - This is why it is very important to take long-term initiatives to protect this small animal. The most pressing threats are the expansion of intensive agriculture and livestock, mining, environmental disasters due to the climate crisis.
Fonte: Neotropical Biodiversity
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