In pictures: three new species of frog found in Colombia

Amphibians best indicators of health of an ecosystem

FIRST PICTURES: The newly discovered Atelopus sp., left, and Rhinella sp. frogs from Colombia

October 2010: Three new species of frog have been found in the Colombian Choco. The team that discovered them also found a further three frog species known to be extremely rare.

The species found have become a large and significant contribution to the biodiversity of at a time when many amphibians are on the verge of extinction due to factors such as climate change, accelerated deforestation and the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. 

NEW SPECIES: Silverstonea sp.

Amphibians are considered the best bio-indicators of ecosystem status and within the group of vertebrates they are also more susceptible to disappear before any changes resulting from human actions on ecosystems. Colombia is considered the richest country in the world in amphibian species, but, paradoxically, this special category holds no escaping the unfortunate and sad process of extinction.

Additionally, the expedition found other species of conservation concern including the dramatic-looking poison dart frog. The expedition was coordinated by the international project Lost Frogs and supported by Wildlife Without Borders (USFWS).