Ranoidea mira

Ranoidea mira, also known as the chocolate frog, is a species of tree frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae, and is part of the Ranoidea caerulea species complex.[1][2] It was discovered in New Guinea by a research team led by Griffith University.[3][4][5]

Ranoidea mira
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Genus: Ranoidea
Species:
R. mira
Binomial name
Ranoidea mira
Oliver, Rittmeyer, Torkkola, Donnellan, Dahl & Richards, 2021 "2020"

Taxonomy and systematics

It is likely that both the chocolate frog and the Australian green tree frog were derived from a common ancestor when Australia and New Guinea were linked by land about 2.6 million years ago.[6][7] It was named mira (meaning surprised or strange in Latin) because of the surprising nature of the discovery, and its chocolate-brown skin.[8][9][10]

Description

Ranoidea mira bears a close resemblance with the Australian green tree frog. They both look similar apart from their skin color. Ranoidea mira has a combination of webbing on hand, large size, limbs that are relatively short and robust as well as small violet patch of skin present on the edges of its eyes. It is a little smaller than the Australian green tree frog, at between 7 cm and 8 cm when fully mature.[4][11][12]

Distribution and habitat

Ranoidea mira is endemic to New Guinea.[3]

References
  1. Hutchins, Colin. "A new chocolate frog reveals ancient links between Australia & New Guinea". news.griffith.edu.au. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  2. "Ranoidea mira (Oliver, Rittmeyer, Torkkola, Dahl, Donnellan & Richards, 2021 "2020") | Amphibian Species of the World". amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  3. Oliver, Paul M.; Rittmeyer, Eric N.; Torkkola, Janne; Donnellan, Stephen C.; Dahl, Chris; Richards, Stephen J. (2020). "Multiple trans-Torres Strait colonisations by tree frogs in the Litoria caerulea group, with the description of a new species from New Guinea". Australian Journal of Zoology. 68 (1): 25. doi:10.1071/ZO20071. hdl:10072/404938. ISSN 0004-959X. S2CID 235258302.
  4. "Australian scientist discovers 'chocolate frog' in New Guinea swamps". The Guardian. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  5. Anderson, Natali (28 May 2021). "New Frog Species from New Guinea Has 'Lovely Chocolate Coloring'". Sci-News. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  6. "Litoria Mira real life version of chocolate frog found all you need to know about it". The Financial Express. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  7. Amy Woodyatt. "Scientists discover new 'chocolate frog' in swamp". CNN. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  8. Woodyatt, Amy (29 May 2021). "Scientists discover new 'chocolate frog' in swamp". CNN. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  9. Nath, Dipanita. "2 June 2021". Indian express. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  10. "Adorable New Chocolate Frog Species Discovered, But You Definitely Shouldn't Eat It". IFLScience. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  11. "Meet 'chocolate frog': This newly discovered species is straight out of Harry Potter world". India Today. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  12. "New (And Very Cute) 'Chocolate Frog' Species Identified By Scientists". HuffPost. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.


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