Smallest frogs in the world!
The sooglossidae are tiny frogs. This family consists of four species that are endemic to Seychelles. Their nearest relative is found in India. This family of Seychelles frogs consists of 2 genera and 4 species of frogs (Sooglossus sechellensis, Sooglossus thomaseti, Sechellophryne gardineri and Sechellophryne pipilodryas) They are restricted to a few ecological niches in Mahe and Silhoutte.
The smallest species Sechellophryne gardineri (Gardiner’s frog. top photo), believed to be the tiniest frog in the world, measures just about 8 -12 mm long. Sechellophryne gardineri is found on Mahé and Silhouette. The most widespread, it is classified as Vulnerable on IUCN’s Red List. Their newly emerged juveniles measure only 1.6 mm long, and are literally almost too small to see.
Sooglossus sechellensis
Sooglossus thomasseti
Sooglossus sechellensis is found on Mahé and Silhouette. It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The adult measures just 15-18 mm.
Sooglossus thomasseti (Thomasset’s frog) is found on Mahé and Silhouette. It is classified as Endangered on IUCN’s Red List. The adult measures just 35-45 mm.
Sechellophryne pipilodryas is endemic to Silhouette Island. It is closely related to Sechellophryne gardineri. It is classified as Critically Endangered.
What we are doing
Very little monitoring work has been carried out on the main island of Mahe and consequently little was known about their status. Concern about the dramatic global declines of many amphibian populations prompted Nature Seychelles to initiate a project to investigate the status of these unique frogs on Mahe. With support from the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Herpetological Conservation Trust in the United Kingdom, a scoping study of the sooglossids on Mahe was undertaken.
Our scoping study trailed methods and recommended the most practical method for determining distribution and numbers in the field, outlined a long-term monitoring programme for regular assessment of the frogs status and abundance and identified priority research needs.
(Photo Credits: Paul Edgar)