They are different from most frogs. Starting with size: they measure 10 to 12 millimeters, less than the head of a pencil. They do not swim, and if they fall into the water, they may even drown. They hardly jump. They sing (croak) by day. And they never go through the tadpole phase.
They are the Brachycephalus, nicknamed mountain-frogs by scientists, natives of the mountainous region of Serra do Mar, Paraná and Santa Catarina, about 1,200 meters high. They are among the smallest amphibians in the world.
Now, two new species have just been cataloged by Brazilian biologists: the Brachycephalus coloratus, orange, and the Brachycephalus curupira, which is brown. Both live in areas of Atlantic Forest in the metropolitan region of Curitiba (PR). They differ from other species previously identified by the colors and shape of the body. The finding was published in July in the journal PeerJ.
'Brachycephalus coloratus', one of the smallest toads in the world, measures 10 to 12 mm and has orange coloration
'Brachycephalus curupira', brown, was also discovered in the mountains of the Serra do Mar do Paraná