In the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, scientists have described a small but extraordinary new frog species. Found within our partner Nature and Culture’s Maycú Reserve, the Maycú Torrent Frog (Hyloscirtus maycu) now carries its name as a tribute to the vital conservation work happening there.
Ecuadorian herpetologist Santiago Ron and a team of researchers from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of London, have recently announced the discovery of three new torrent frog species from the Hyloscirtus genus. Among them is the standout Maycú Torrent Frog, a species adapted to fast-flowing mountain streams.
The path to identifying the frog has taken almost a decade, with the first individuals found back in 2014. It has since taken Ron and his team multiple expeditions and genetic studies to confirm it was a species entirely new to science.
This long process underscores the dedication, patience, and resources needed to conduct scientific research in the Amazon.
A juvenile Maycú Torrent Frog. Credit: Museo de Zoología QCAZ.
A tiny frog with a unique call
Despite its tiny size, measuring under two inches, the Maycú Torrent Frog has a distinctive call. It was thanks to this high-pitched call that Ron and his team were able to identify the species’ uniqueness.
“They have a rather loud call that can be heard relatively far away. The males sing to court females,” explains Ron. “It was the frog’s call that tipped us off. We realised this was something different from all previously described species. Later, genetic studies confirmed that what we found in Maycú had never been seen anywhere else in the world.”
You can listen to the frog’s call here.
A sanctuary for biodiversity
Located in southern Ecuador, where the Andes meets the Amazon, the Maycú Reserve spans close to 2,024 hectares (5,000 acres). Nature and Culture have been managing its protection since 2012, with funding from World Land Trust supporters.
The area boasts high levels of endemism, particularly with amphibians. Crossing a single valley or river can reveal an entirely different community of species.
This biodiversity means the forest could still be hiding species unknown to science. The Maycú Torrent Frog is proof of how much remains to be discovered through more exploration of this remarkable area.
The Maycú Reserve faces increasing threats from illegal mining, leaving countless species at risk. It is essential that Nature and Culture continue to protect this important area.
Naming this new frog after the reserve is a tribute to Nature and Culture’s hard work and a celebration of the dedication that goes into protecting natural spaces like this every day.
You can read the full story about this new frog species on the Nature and Culture website, or learn more about their wider work here.