This “new” frog was hiding in plain sight for 100 years
A common frog found across Ecuador and Colombia has finally been recognized as its own species after more than a century of mistaken identity. Museum specimens from the 1800s helped scientists reveal that Pristimantis milpe had been hiding in plain sight all along.
For over a century, Pristimantis milpe, a common and widespread frog found in the Chocó forests of western Ecuador and southern Colombia, was mistakenly identified as another species. This confusion was resolved by researchers at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador who studied historical specimens from the 19th century preserved at the Natural History Museum in London.
The frog, known for its nighttime calls and distinctive appearance, inhabits a vast area covering more than 67,000 square kilometers. Its remarkable discovery emphasizes the importance of correctly linking scientific names with their living counterparts in nature, as common species like Pristimantis milpe can go unnoticed for decades.
The study, published in ZooKeys, illustrates how 19th-century museum specimens can provide vital insights into species identification and biodiversity conservation.
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