New Golden Frog Discovered In Remote Region Of Colombia
Science Daily  A new poisonous frog was recently discovered in a remote mountainous region in Colombia by a team of young scientists supported by the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP). The new frog, which is almost two centimetres in length, was given the name the "golden frog of Supatá."
The new frog, which is almost two centimetres in length, was given the name the "golden frog of Supatá." (Credit: Conservation Leadership Programme) The new frog, which is almost two centimetres in length, was given the name the "golden frog of Supatá." (Credit: Conservation Leadership Programme)
Originally, the young scientists thought the frog was similar to several other common species in the area. However, after scientific analysis of the frog's characteristics, and review of their findings by experts at Conservation International, it was determined that the golden frog of Supatá is unique and only found within a 20 hectare area in Colombia's Cundinamarca region. Colombia is one of the world's richest countries in amphibian diversity, with more than 583 species.
Unfortunately, since this frog is a recent discovery, and endemic to only the Cunidnamarca region, little is known about it. So far, scientists say that the golden frog of Supatá belongs to a group of "dart frogs" that are known to be highly venomous. In the coming months, the young scientists hope to have more information about the frog.
"The importance of this project is not just the discovery of the new frog," said Oswaldo Cortes, team leader and one of the winners of the 2007 Conservation Leadership Programme awards. "But, most importantly, what this new discovery shows is how little we still know about our planet, and the many species that haven't yet been discovered. This is why it is so important to work with local communities and educate them about the need for conservation."
In addition to Oswaldo Cortes, the team of scientist includes Erika Salazar, Giovanni Chaves, Jose Gil, and Ximena Villagran, students, who attend La Universidad Distrital, and Francisco Jose de Caldas and Luiz Alberto Rueda of the University of the Andes (La Universidad de los Andes).
Note: This story has been adapted from material provided by Conservation International.
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Científicos han descubierto una nueva especie de rana venenosa de dardo en Colombia.

La nueva especia, apodada "rana dorada de Supatá" es de 2 cm (0,8 pulgadas) de largo y tiene un rango de hábitat de tan sólo 50 acres (20 hectáreas), razón por la cual se considera que no había sido descubierta hasta hoy.

La rana fue encontrada en febrero durante una expedición arreglada por el Programa de Conservación de Liderazgo (PCL), una organización sin ánimo de lucro, pero el descubrimiento ha sido anunciado recientemente.

Sin embargo, de acuerdo a Giovanni Chaves, un biólogo del PCL, la rana está en peligro inminente.

"Esta rana existe en un fragmento de nuboselva que está bajo gran presión antropogénica, pricipalmente la destrucción del bosque por prácticas ganaderas y agropecuarias", dijo.

"Este descubrimiento nos permite saber un poco más sobre la ecología de estos hermosos animales, y también nos permitirá usarlo como símbolo para llevar a cabo nuestras campañas de educación ambiental en este área, para demostrar la necesidad de proteger y conservar la fauna y flora de esta región de Colombia".

Colombia tiene una de las diversidades más ricas de amfibios en el planeta, con más de 584 especies conocidas.