Peru: Three new species of frogs discovered in the north of the country

A team of Peruvian scientists has discovered three new species of frogs in a mountain range in northern Peru, the Peruvian Institute of Herpetology announced on Friday, July 4.

"We have found three new species of frogs of the genus Pristimantis, which inhabit little-explored areas of northern Peru," said herpetologist (reptile and amphibian specialist) German Chavez.

The frogs were discovered a few weeks ago in a forest ecosystem located between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level in the Piura region. They have been named Pristimantis chinguelas, P. nunezcortezi, and P. yonke by scientists.

The discovery took place in the mountains that cross the Huancabamba range in Piura, amid persistent fogs, dwarf forests, and silent moors, according to German Chavez. "These frogs don't depend much on bodies of water, and the fact that they don't is a good indicator of the health of the habitat around them," he explained.

The three new amphibian species are about five centimeters long and are distinguished by their large yellow eyes and cream, yellow, and brown coloring. They are also characterized by their high-pitched calls.

The ecosystem in which they live is constantly threatened, particularly by agricultural burning and deforestation. The Huancabamba mountain range is an area of ​​great biogeographic importance due to its biodiversity and the connection it establishes between the Amazon and the Pacific coast.