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Issue: Vol. 5845 No. 2: 6 Jul. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-07-06
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5845.2.6
Page range: 319-339
Abstract views: 58
PDF downloaded: 0

A critically endangered new species of Dryadobates (Anura: Aromobatidae) from Espírito Santo, Brazil

Departamento de Zoologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade de São Paulo; Tv. 14 101; Rua do Matão; Cidade Universitária; 05508-090; São Paulo; SP; Brazil
Departamento de Zoologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade de São Paulo; Tv. 14 101; Rua do Matão; Cidade Universitária; 05508-090; São Paulo; SP; Brazil
Departamento de Zoologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade de São Paulo; Tv. 14 101; Rua do Matão; Cidade Universitária; 05508-090; São Paulo; SP; Brazil
Amphibia Allobatinae Atlantic Forest Conservation Dendrobatoidea Taxonomy

Abstract

We describe a new species of Dryadobates known exclusively from a small (0.384 km²) and shrinking forest fragment between the neighborhoods of Costa Bela and Praia de Capuba, Serra, Espírito Santo, Brazil. In addition to genetic differences, the new species is diagnosed by its small size, white or pale ventral coloration on the thighs in life, white ventral coloration in males in life, posteriorly diffuse ventrolateral stripe in females in life, presence of webbing between toes II and III, and absence of isolated advertisement calls. Progressive habitat loss at the type locality has resulted in a 30% reduction in the forest fragment at the type locality from 0.543 km² in 2011 to 0.384 km² in 2025. We surveyed another forest fragment near the type locality but failed to detect additional individuals, leading us to classify the new species as Critically Endangered due to its extremely limited distribution (< 1 km²) and ongoing anthropogenic pressure at the type locality. We also reanalyzed the advertisement calls of D. alagoanus to enable comparisons, finding that it produces notes emitted both in isolation and groups.

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How to Cite

Homma, M.H.O., Norbertino, K.N. & Grant, T. (2026) A critically endangered new species of Dryadobates (Anura: Aromobatidae) from Espírito Santo, Brazil. Zootaxa, 5845 (2), 319–339. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5845.2.6