Researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and two Latin American Universities have confirmed the discovery of a new species of poison dart frog.
The new frog, named “Andinobates geminisae”, bears a striking resemblance to the strawberry poison dart frog (Oophaga pumilio). Researchers believe the new species may have been observed in the past, but was likely confused with Oophaga.
According to Cesar Jaramillo, a Smithsonian herpetologist, “Based on morphological characteristics of the adult and the tadpole, I thought it might be a new species of Andinobates.”
A. geminisae was found in the district of Donoso, Colón Province, Panama. The new species appears to be present solely in this geographical region, leading researchers to caution against deforestation or depletion of its natural habitat. Special conservation plans are also recommended to ensure this species’s long-term survival.
Photo taken by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute