Overview
- The species, Brachycephalus lulai, is named for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as an explicit conservation tribute.
- Scientists confirmed it as new using genetic data, morphology, CT-based osteology, and a distinctive two-note advertisement call.
- The frog is extremely small—males 8.9–11.3 mm and females 11.7–13.4 mm—and lives in high-altitude leaf litter within an estimated 8 km² range.
- Authors propose a preliminary IUCN Least Concern listing due to intact habitat and urge continued surveys and monitoring.
- Close kinship with two nearby species supports allopatric speciation in isolated montane microrefugia, and the team advocates creating the RVS Serra do Quiriri refuge.