Photo credit: Juan Carlos Sanchez-Nivicela
While not as tiny as Brachycephalus Brunneus, Hyloscirtus Tolkikieni, a new stream frog species, was named after English author and Lord of the Rings creator J.R.R. Tolkien. It was discovered in Ecuador hiding around the streams of Río Negro-Sopladora National Park and measures 2.5-inches (63.5 millimeters) long.
What sets this stream frog apart from the other species is its grayish-green back with yellow / black specks and a pale pink / black iris. Look even closer, and you’ll find golden yellow colored throat, belly, flanks, legs with large black spots and dots. Black bars and spots cover its fingers and toes. So far, Hyloscirtus Tolkieni has only been found in one locality, thus its conservation status is currently unknown.
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The new species of frog has amazing colours, and it would seem that it lives in a universe of fantasies, like those created by Tolkien. The truth is that the tropical Andes are magical ecosystems where some of the most wonderful species of flora, funga, and fauna in the world are present. Unfortunately, few areas are well protected from the negative impacts caused by humans,” said Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, director of the Museum of Zoology of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ.
