‘Remarkable’ new species — with orange groin — found under rocks in Peru, experts say
Spanning nearly the entire west coast of South America, The Cordillera de los Andes are teeming with life.
Now, a “remarkable” discovery has led researchers to an addition to the already-extensive list of creatures that call the mountain range home: a new species of frog, according to a study published May 22 in Zootaxa.
Researchers Vladimir Díaz, Luis Mamani and Alessandro Catenazz said they found the new species in Huanta, Peru. The frogs were hidden beneath rocks in the grasslands of the mountain range.
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The frogs are the latest known species of the Phyrnopus genus, which is endemic to Peru and is found throughout the Andes, the authors said. P. Sancristobali — the new species — are the southernmost species that have been discovered.
Experts distinguished the species by their unique appearance, including color and skin texture variations, they said.
The frogs have light brown skin with “large, round and irregular pustules, forming irregular ridges” covering their backs, researchers said. In between each of the pustules is a darker brown colored skin.
Their bellies are lighter in color, with more of a cream and yellow hue, and resemble dry, cracked mud, photos show.
The frogs also have traces of orange throughout their bodies, experts said. Their orange palms and soles of their feet are accompanied by uneven, “bulbous” fingers and toes. Their groin and throat also appear orange.
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Researchers said they expect that further exploration of the region will lead to the discovery of more unknown species in the region.
Huanta is about 200 miles southeast of Lima.
This story was originally published May 24, 2023 at 10:41 AM with the headline "‘Remarkable’ new species — with orange groin — found under rocks in Peru, experts say."
