The world's smallest vertebrate.

A species of Brazilian frog may break world records for its incredibly small size, with males averaging just over 7 mm in length and females 8 mm.

The frog Brachycephalus pulex sits on a 27 mm diameter coin. Photo: Renato Gaiga

According to new research in the journal Zoologica Scripta , the frog Brachycephalus pulex may hold the title of the smallest frog, and also the smallest vertebrate in the world, IFL Science reported on February 14. B. pulex frogs are smaller than a pea, with males averaging just over 7 mm in length and females over 8 mm.

This tiny amphibian is endemic to southern Bahia, Brazil, and was first described in 2011. However, the number of studies is still too small, and its adult status has not been confirmed.

"Identifying the world's smallest frog is no easy task," the research team said. In the new study, they measured the body length of 46 B. pulex frogs and compared them to other small frog species, including the previously confirmed record holder for the world's smallest frog, Paedophryne amauensis.

The team of experts found that some male B. pulex individuals were smaller than known P. amauensis individuals. However, data on females of P. amauensis was scarce, so they compared the size of female B. pulex frogs with the second smallest species, P. verrucosa , and found that B. pulex was even smaller.

The research team also assessed the frogs' maturity by examining their gonads and confirming they had reached adulthood. With all the data, they concluded that B. pulex could claim the title of the world's smallest frog and vertebrate, closely followed by P. amanuensis from Papua New Guinea.

"This was very clear. These could actually be the smallest frogs still in existence in the world, which is amazing," said Dr. Mark Scherz at the Danish Natural History Museum.

Thu Thao (According to IFL Science )

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