Tiny bright-orange frog named after brazil’s president lula discovered in atlantic forest

Scientists have discovered a vibrant new species of miniature frog in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, naming it Brachycephalus lulai in honor of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The tiny amphibian, measuring just over a centimeter long—about the size of a fingernail—sports a striking bright-orange body decorated with small green and brown spots.

Researchers found 32 individuals of the new species hidden in leaf litter on the southeastern slopes of Serra do Quiriri in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. Through careful analysis of the frogs’ DNA, physical features, and vocalizations, scientists confirmed they had discovered an entirely new species. Males of B. lulai measure just 8.9-11.3 millimeters in length, while females are slightly larger at 11.7-13.4 millimeters. The males produce a distinctive mating call unique to their species.

This discovery adds to the remarkable diversity of the Brachycephalus genus, commonly known as flea toads or saddleback toads. All 42 known species in this group are tiny and live exclusively among the leaf litter of Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest. What’s particularly striking is how recently most of these species have been identified—35 of the 42 known species have been described since 2000, highlighting how much biodiversity remains undiscovered in this critically important ecosystem.

Currently, the sites where B. lulai was found appear to be intact and free from immediate threats, offering hope for the species’ survival in its Atlantic Forest habitat.