New ‘gold’ frog species measuring less than an INCH long and with elongated toes is discovered by scientists exploring a remote Ethiopian mountain The newly discovered species is known as Phrynobatrachus bibita sp. nov. DNA testing shows it to be genetically different from other puddle frog species They have a gold hue, slender body with long legs, elongated fingers and toes The isolated region is one of the few remaining primary highlands in Ethiopia
By Yuan Ren For Mailonline
Published: 19:00 GMT, 12 February 2019 | Updated: 10:22 GMT, 13 February 2019
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A new species of puddle frog has been found in a previously unexplored mountain in southwestern Ethiopia.
The creatures have characteristics that make it easily distinguishable from other Ethiopian puddle frogs, such as a slender body with long legs, elongated fingers and toes, and a golden tint.
DNA sequencing of tissue samples taken from the minute frogs by a team at NYU Abu Dhabi confirmed that it was genetically different from any other species.
The Bibita Mountains in southern Ethiopia is an area of isolated forest that had remained explored by scientists until last summer.
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