Overview

• The Zootaxa paper formally names Ranitomeya hwata from Parque Nacional Alto Purús in the Peruvian Amazon, with details circulated by Sernanp.
• The tiny poison frog measures about 15 millimeters and displays bright yellow dorsal stripes, a mottled underside, and a distinct black band between throat and belly.
• Researchers report the species is restricted to Guadua bamboo forests where it breeds in natural cavities within the plants.
• Male frogs show polygynous behavior by recruiting multiple females to a single breeding site, distinguishing the species from close relatives.
• Peruvian authorities and the international team warn that deforestation and illegal mining threaten the bamboo habitat, underscoring the need for targeted protection within the park.