Newly Discovered Flea Toad Becomes Second Smallest Vertebrate

The tiny Brachycephalus dacnis, found in Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest, measures just 6.95 mm, highlighting the diversity of miniature amphibians.

Brachycephalus dacnis is the seventh species of flea toad discovered, characterized by its miniature size and cryptic nature.
Researchers identified the new species by its unique vocalizations, despite its morphological similarity to B. hermogenesi.
The discovery underscores potential undiscovered diversity among miniature frogs, emphasizing the need for detailed species descriptions.
Flea toads, including B. dacnis, are known for their evolutionary miniaturization, involving anatomical reductions and loss of certain structures.
The species was named in honor of Project Dacnis, an NGO dedicated to conservation efforts in the Atlantic Rainforest.