Science
Ecuadorian researchers describe new frog species mistaken for another for over a century
ScienceDaily reports that researchers identified Pristimantis milpe after examining 19th-century museum specimens to resolve a longstanding classification error.
The short version
- Researchers at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador formally described Pristimantis milpe, a frog misclassified for more than 100 years.[ScienceDaily]
- The misidentification was resolved after lead author Santiago Ron studied 19th-century specimens kept at London's Natural History Museum.[ScienceDaily]
- The frog inhabits over 67,000 square kilometers across western Ecuador and southern Colombia.[ScienceDaily]
- Biologists emphasized that correcting this taxonomy underscores the necessity of aligning historical scientific names with living wildlife.[ScienceDaily]
Key facts
- Scientists at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador formally classified Pristimantis milpe, which had been misidentified as another species for over 100 years.[ScienceDaily]
- The taxonomic issue was clarified by inspecting 19th-century specimens housed at the Natural History Museum in London.[ScienceDaily]
- Pristimantis milpe occupies a habitat spanning over 67,000 square kilometers throughout western Ecuador and southern Colombia.[ScienceDaily]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- This “new” frog was hiding in plain sight for 100 yearsScienceDaily - Environment