A new species of poison dart frog has been discovered in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon , where dense rainforests host some of the most diverse and complex ecosystems on Earth.
In a study published in the journal PLOS ONE , a joint team of Brazilian and Czech researchers have identified Rantomeya aetherea , a colorful species characterized by its distinctive sky-blue dorsal stripes and metallic-looking copper limbs.
This small amphibian, which only grow up to 0.6 inches long, has a unique look that sets it apart from all of the other currently known poison dart frogs .
Besides its distinctive and bright coloration, it also features a ring-shaped granular region right on the belly, and toes with poorly developed lateral fingers.
Considered one of Earth's most toxic species