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An international team of scientists has described seven new species of Madagascar's elusive diamond frogs (Rhombophryne), revealing that one of the island's most mysterious groups of amphibians is even more diverse than previously thought.
Knowing where species occur – and even recognising that they are distinct species – is fundamental to understanding biodiversity and protecting it. Combining museum collections, fieldwork and advanced DNA analyses, the researchers uncovers previously hidden diversity and resolves a long-standing taxonomic puzzle. By clarifying the identities and distributions of these secretive frogs, the research provides an important foundation for future conservation efforts in Madagascar's rapidly disappearing forests.
“Diamond frogs have been hiding their diversity beneath our feet,” said Dr. Mark D. Scherz, Curator of Herpetology at the Natural History Museum Denmark and lead author of the study.
“Many species spend most of their lives beneath the leaf litter, and even when they emerge they can look deceptively similar,” he added.
