New marsupial frog species discovered in the Peruvian Amazon

Scientists have discovered a new species of marsupial frog in the Peruvian Amazon. Named Gastrotheca mittaliti, the tiny amphibian stands out for its bright green colour and unusual breeding habits. The find was announced in the journal Zootaxa after a joint effort by researchers from Florida International University and the University of Seville. The frog was found in the mountainous Amazonas region of Peru, close to the Ecuadorian border. Measuring just 2.7 to 3.3 centimetres long, it has a distinctive green hue and small bumps along its back. Unlike most frogs, it carries its eggs and tadpoles in a specialised pouch on its body, allowing them to develop without water.

Between April 2021 and April 2026, 132 new amphibian species were documented in the Peruvian Amazon, according to surveys by institutions like the Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP). However, *Gastrotheca mittaliti* faces immediate risks. Climate change and wildfires have pushed it into the 'critically endangered' category, though its exact wild population remains unknown.

The discovery highlights the Peruvian Amazon's rich but fragile biodiversity. With its unique reproductive method and shrinking habitat, Gastrotheca mittaliti now depends on conservation efforts for survival. Researchers stress the need for further studies to protect this and other newly identified species.