Researchers at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador have formally documented Pristimantis milpe, a frog species that was incorrectly classified as another species for more than 100 years despite being widespread and relatively common throughout its range. The discovery is notable because most newly described species are typically rare or geographically restricted, whereas this frog inhabits more than 67,000 square kilometers across the Chocó forests of western Ecuador and southern Colombia, spanning elevations from sea level to 1,200 meters.
The formal description was published in the international journal ZooKeys. Santiago Ron, a researcher at PUCE and the study’s lead author, resolved the classification puzzle by examining specimens collected during the 19th century and preserved at the Natural History Museum in London. By comparing these historical specimens with contemporary frog populations from the Ecuadorian Chocó region, the research team determined that the original museum specimens had been incorrectly linked to a different species, meaning this readily identifiable frog had never received its own scientific designation despite being documented for decades.
Pristimantis milpe, commonly known as the Milpe Robber Frog, is a nocturnal species. Males produce distinctive clicking calls while perched on leaves and bromeliads several meters above the forest floor. Sexual dimorphism is apparent in the species, with females displaying striking coloration including orange or light blue tones with black spots around the groin and thigh areas, while males typically exhibit more uniform coloration.
The case demonstrates the enduring scientific value of natural history museum collections. Preserved specimens from centuries past enable researchers to revisit outdated classifications, conduct comparative morphological analysis, and resolve taxonomic questions that previous scientists could not adequately address. This discovery reinforces the broader lesson that even abundant and well-documented species can harbor unrecognized taxonomic complexity, and that synthesizing historical collections with modern field research and observations remains essential to understanding biodiversity.
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