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Worlds Tiniest Frog

A team of American researchers led by Chris Austin discovered a new species of frog in Papua New Guinea called Paedophryne amauensis. At 7.7 mm long and 0.02 grams, it is the smallest known vertebrate species. New Guinea is a biodiversity hotspot and every new discovery adds to our understanding of how diversity is generated and maintained. Unfortunately frog species there are threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, climate change and overdevelopment.

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Worlds Tiniest Frog

A team of American researchers led by Chris Austin discovered a new species of frog in Papua New Guinea called Paedophryne amauensis. At 7.7 mm long and 0.02 grams, it is the smallest known vertebrate species. New Guinea is a biodiversity hotspot and every new discovery adds to our understanding of how diversity is generated and maintained. Unfortunately frog species there are threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, climate change and overdevelopment.

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The London Free Press
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Worlds tiniest frog

A newly found frog species, Paedophryne amauensis, is now the worlds tiniest known vertebrate a group that includes mammals, sh, birds and amphibians. The discovery was made by a team of American researchers led by Louisiana State University herpetologist Chris Austin.
Discovered in Papua New Guinea, 2009
(found near Amau Village in the Central Province)
NEW GUINEA AUSTRALIA

IN MINUTES

News and events visually

New Guinea is a hotspot of biodiversity, and everything new we discover there adds another layer to our overall understanding of how biodiversity is generated and maintained.
Herpetologist Chris Austin

NEW GUINEA
P. swiftorum

Di erence betweenfrogs and toads:


208 new species including several frogs were discovered in Southeast Asia in the past year. Four di erent species of frog were found in New Guinea alone. Unfortunately, the frogs are threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, climate change and overdevelopment.

Frogs usually have bulging eyes, smooth, moist skin, longer legs for leaping great distances, and spend most of their lives in or near water. Toads usually have dry, warty-looking skin, shorter hind legs, walk rather than hop and spend more time living on land.

Various species discovered

Amau Village

P. oyatabu

P. amauensis
P. kathismaphlox

Paedophryne amauensis
Size: 7.7 mm Weight: 0.02 grams
Colouring: Brown body, black splotches with a few sky-blue spots Diet: Feeds on small invertebrates (springtails, mites, ticks) Habitat: Lives on land, in the leaf litter on the oors of tropical forests Capable of jumping 30 times their own body length Has likely been around for millions of years, just never found

There are at least 29 species of miniscule frogs

Worlds smallest vertebrate


The worlds tiniest frog has now taken the title of the worlds smallest vertebrate (with a spine). The animals have simplied skeletons and are born directly as frogs, as opposed to rst going through a tadpole Actual size stage.
Previously smallest vertebrate: Paedocypris progenetica an Indonesian sh 7.9 mm long Scuba diver Largest known vertebrate:

Blue whale

Average length: 25.8 m

Sources: plosone.org

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; INFOGRAPHIC BY TARA CORRAN/QMI AGENCY

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