A new species of poison-dart frog (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from Manu province, Amazon region of southeastern Peru, with notes on its natural history, bioacoustics, phylogenetics, and recommended conservation status

Researchers have identified a new species of poison-dart frog, Ameerega shihuemoy, inhabiting the Amazonian slopes of the Andes within Peru's Manu Province. This discovery is supported by distinct morphological traits—such as its black dorsum with cream to light orange dorsolateral lines and blue belly reticulated with black—and unique bioacoustic characteristics, including a lower note repetition rate and higher fundamental frequencies in its mating call. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA further confirms its genetic distinctiveness, placing it closest to Ameerega macero and other related species. The frog exhibits seasonal habitat preferences, favoring rocky streams during the dry season and temporary water bodies during the rainy season. Given its small geographic range, the study recommends classifying A. shihuemoy as 'Near Threatened' under IUCN Red List criteria.

SERRANO-ROJAS, S. J., WHITWORTH, A., VILLACAMPA, J., MAY, R. V., GUTIÉRREZ, R. C., PADIAL, J. M., & CHAPARRO, J. C. (2017). A new species of poison-dart frog (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from Manu province, Amazon region of southeastern Peru, with notes on its natural history, bioacoustics, phylogenetics, and recommended conservation status. Zootaxa, 4221(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4221.1.3