New Pumpkin Toadlet Species Discovered in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

Scientists Identify Brachycephalus lulai in Southern Brazil

Scientists have discovered a new species of miniature frog in the cloud forests of southern Brazil, underscoring the extraordinary yet vulnerable biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest biome . The finding was made in the Serra do Quiriri mountain range and adds a rare new member to the genus Brachycephalus , a group famed for tiny body size and high endemism.

Discovery in a Cloud Forest Habitat
The newly identified toadlet inhabits leaf litter in humid cloud forests located at elevations above 750 metres. With a body length ranging from roughly 9 to 13 millimetres, it is among the smallest four-limbed vertebrates known. Before this discovery, scientists had recognised only 42 species within the genus, highlighting how much remains to be learned about microfauna in isolated ecosystems.

Distinctive Physical Features
The species stands out due to its bright orange colouration, a trait that differentiates it from closely related pumpkin toadlets. Its dorsal surface is relatively smooth, while the sides show rougher textures with irregular greenish-brown markings on the flanks and underside. A compact, rounded snout and distinct skeletal traits helped researchers confirm it as a separate species.

Unusual Communication Strategy
A particularly remarkable feature is its method of communication. Although the toadlet produces calls with multiple pulses, it is unable to hear them. Instead, it relies on visual signals such as inflating its vocal sac, opening its mouth, and waving its limbs. This visual-based communication is rare among amphibians.

Conservation and Naming Significance
Named Brachycephalus lulai in honour of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the species draws attention to conservation challenges in the Atlantic Forest. While currently listed as “Least Concern”, increasing pressures from deforestation, mining, and tourism pose long-term risks.

Exam-Oriented Points

• Brachycephalus lulai measures under 14 mm, among the smallest tetrapods globally.

• The genus Brachycephalus is endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.

• The species primarily communicates through visual cues, not sound.

• The discovery was published in the journal PLOS One .