Tiny, Fanged Frog Species Found in Indonesia is World’s Smallest

Researchers have discovered the world’s smallest species of fanged frog during an expedition to the mountainous rainforest of Sulawesi, a rugged island in Indonesia.

Known scientifically as Limnonectes phyllofolia, the stream-dwelling frog is much smaller than its close relatives found in the region. Its discovery has been detailed in a new study, published in the journal PLoS ONE.

“This new species is tiny compared to other fanged frogs on the island where it was found, about the size of a quarter,” said Jeff Frederick, lead author of the study and postdoctoral researcher at the Field Museum in Chicago.

“Many frogs in this genus are giant, weighing up to two pounds. At the large end, this new species weighs about the same as a dime.”

The peculiarity of fanged frogs

While many frogs have teeth, most examples aren't particularly impressive, appearing as tiny pinpricks in the upper or lower jaws. The Limnonectes genus, on the other hand, is full of frogs that would look rather fitting hopping around the grounds of Castle Dracula.

Their two pointed fangs jut out from their lower jaw, giving the frogs useful weapons for hunting tough-shelled prey such as crabs and centipedes, and defending against predators.

There are about 75 of these fanged frogs in total, distributed throughout south-east Asia. It was here, in Sulawesi, where a joint US-Indonesia amphibian and reptile research team noticed something unexpected while trekking through the rainforest.

Sitting on tree saplings and moss-clad boulders were small clumps of jelly – the nests of frogs.

“Normally when we’re looking for frogs, we’re scanning the margins of stream banks or wading through streams to spot them directly in the water,” said Frederick. “After repeatedly monitoring the nests though, the team started to find attending frogs sitting on leaves hugging their little nests.”

Mapping biodiversity

As the researchers explain, the close proximity of the frogs to their nests was evidence of the males guarding their unhatched young – a behaviour which is relatively uncommon amongst frogs.

This is another area in which the frogs' fangs come in handy, as a way to fend off rival frogs and hold down the best nesting spots. However, as Limnonectes phyllofolia rears its young away from the amphibian hubbub of Sulawesi's streams, the authors hypothesise that the species may have lost the need for large fangs like its close relatives.

According to the authors, the finding highlights the importance of preserving tropical habitats, many of which remain threatened by destructive human activities such as deforestation. Despite this, they continue to yield fascinating new species and other discoveries, making a strong case for improved conservation efforts.