New glass frog discovered in Brazil’s Cerrado
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Brazilian researchers discovered a new species of glass frog, Vitreorana micaelae, in gallery forests of Luziânia, Goiás state.
These forests, which grow alongside small streams, act as biodiversity corridors within the Cerrado savanna. This marks the first time a frog from the Vitreorana genus has been found in the central region of the Cerrado, expanding knowledge of Brazil’s animal life.
The tiny amphibian, measuring between 2.2 and 2.6 centimeters long, has translucent skin revealing its internal organs and a distinctive greenish hue. Researchers from the Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás, the Federal University of Goiás, and the University of Brasília published their findings in the scientific journal ZooKeys in September. The research received support from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development and programs promoting taxonomy and scientific research.
Reuber Brandão, a professor at the University of Brasília, explained that finding this species in the Cerrado is unusual, as most Vitreorana frogs live in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. Morphological, bioacoustic, and molecular evidence further confirmed the frog’s status as a new and genetically distinct species. Scientists note that gallery forests receive less scientific attention than open areas of the Cerrado, increasing the risk that species in these habitats will disappear before they are even identified.
Currently, Vitreorana micaelae is known from only two locations in Luziânia, both near streams and riparian forests, making it vulnerable to threats like dam construction, habitat loss, and mining. Researchers recommend further surveys in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest to map the Vitreorana genus’ distribution and assess the new species’ population size, and suggest classifying it as "Data Deficient" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
