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What's smaller than a pencil eraser but leaps 32 times its size?
Meet Brachycephalus dacnis, one of the smallest vertebrates ever described, discovered in Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Measuring just
6.95 millimeters (0.27 inches), this remarkable frog not only pushes the boundaries of miniaturization but also retains full
functionality in its organs and skeletal system — something that's often sacrificed in the trade-off to downsize. Researchers
formally described the species in October 2024, adding another fascinating chapter to the rich biodiversity of southeastern
Brazil.
At first glance, B. dacnis may appear unassuming, with its speckled brown-and-white coloring, but its evolutionary adaptations set
it apart. Unlike other tiny frogs in its genus, which often struggle with balance due to compromised vestibular systems, it has
retained its inner ear structure. As a result, it leaps with surprising agility — an essential trait for survival on the forest
floor.
Brazil is home to the most amphibian species in the world, and the Atlantic Forest is a biodiversity hotspot. However, only 13% of
this vital ecosystem remains. "The discovery shows us how much we need to preserve the Atlantic Forest," said Edelcio Muscat, one
of the researchers and a coordinator at Projeto Dacnis.
Amphibians like B. dacnis also remind us of wildlife's broader crisis. Nearly 41% of amphibian species are threatened with
extinction, starkly contrasting to the 12.9% of birds and 26.5% of mammals.
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RESEARCHER DISCOVERS NEW ROLE PLAYED BY MANATEES, ‘THE GARDENERS OF THE AMAZON'
* According to a new study, the Amazonian manatee is a seed disperser; a researcher found germinating grasses in its feces.
* The discovery was made in Lake Amanã, in the Amazon, where 96 samples of manatee feces were collected; surprisingly, they contained 556 intact seeds.
* Manatees eat 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of aquatic plants a day and migrate long distances. This finding shows that the manatee is a crucial vector for dispersing seeds between fertile areas such as floodplains and nutrient-poor areas such as the swamp forests known as igapós; this activity enhances biodiversity in Amazonian environments, especially in times of climate change and environmental degradation.
* Despite its vital ecological function, the manatee is listed as vulnerable to extinction; Illegal hunting, facilitated by periods of extreme drought, is one of the main threats, along with climate change, which affects both their diet and their migratory routes.
* Read more.
INDIGENOUS LEADERS KILLED AS NARCO AIRSTRIPS CUT INTO THEIR AMAZON TERRITORIES
* Mongabay and Earth Genome detected 67 clandestine airstrips used for transporting drugs in the Peruvian regions of Ucayali, Huánuco and Pasco.
* The analysis used artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imagery cross-referenced with official sources and on-the-ground observation to verify that each airstrip is associated with narco activity.
* Thirty-one airstrips are concentrated in Atalaya, which has become one of the most violent provinces in the Amazon. * Most of these illegal airstrips are located in and around Indigenous communities, reserves for people living in voluntary isolation and forest concessions. * Read more.
SLENDER-BILLED CURLEW, A BIRD LAST PHOTOGRAPHED IN 1995, IS LIKELY EXTINCT
* For decades, the slender-billed curlew, a grayish-brown migratory wetland bird with a long, arched bill, has evaded detection, prompting speculation about whether the species is still out there.
* Now, a new study has confirmed that the species is indeed most likely extinct.
* “Speaking personally it's a source of deep sadness,” Geoff Hilton, conservation scientist at U.K.-based charity Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, who wasn't involved in the study, told Mongabay by email.
* While details of the slender-billed curlew's exact population size and breeding sites have remained hazy, the species is known to have historically bred in Central Asia and migrated to Europe and North Africa.
* Read more.
MORE THIS WEEK
* COP29 ends in $300 billion deal, widespread dismay — and eyes toward COP30
* Video: Biochar from banana peels breaks ground in Cameroon
* Podcast: How nature protection and inspiring art are key to planetary health & preventing pandemics
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