7 deadly miniature frogs discovered in Brazil - brightly coloured amphibians release a powerful toxin that causes paralysis
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Loading... - Cristian Castillo
- 05 Jun 2020
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A team of researchers has uncovered SEVEN new species of ‘highly miniaturised’ brightly-coloured frogs in the Brazilian rainforest.
Each species is only found in a very small part of the cloud forest and adult frogs measure less than 1cm in length.
The frogs only live in very small parts of the cloud forest
They also release a powerful neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin that interferes with the nerve signals to muscles and causes paralysis and even death. It's the same venom found in the 'fugu' blowfish that's a delicacy in Japan but can poison diners if it's not prepared properly.
The animals are so tiny that they have fewer fingers and toes than regular-sized frogs.
The frogs belong to the Brachycephalus family, and the researchers who found them say there are likely many more species.
The frogs only live in very small parts of the cloud forest
"This is only the beginning, especially given the fact that we have already found additional species that we are in the process of formally describing,” said researcher Luiz Ribeiro.
Here's another one. Watch out
You can read more about these little creatures in the journal Peerj.
