This tiny frog, about the size of a fingernail, had gone completely unnoticed by science despite its striking color and characteristic call. Its discovery highlights the vast biodiversity that still remains hidden in tropical rainforests.
The species was named Brachycephalus lulai in recognition of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, for his efforts to curb deforestation in the country. The animal lives in a small area of only eight square kilometers of this Atlantic forest.
Its striking orange pigmentation and its peculiar call, composed of two brief notes, allowed researchers to differentiate it from other species of the same genus.
Besides its size and color, the Brachycephalus lulai is distinguished by the lack of a fifth toe on its feet and its direct development, as it is born in miniature adult form without going through the aquatic larval stage. Despite its limited distribution, the authors of the finding propose classifying it as 'Least Concern' on the endangered species Red List.
Researchers suggest creating a Wildlife Refuge in the area, a legal mechanism that would allow the preservation of this highly biodiverse ecosystem without requiring the expropriation of private land.
