Rainforest Trust celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018. It hosted an auction and named some new-to-science species. The funds raised helped the conservation of the newly recognized species. It estimated 100 new species discovered per year.
The scientists have named the new species as Pristimantis gretathunbergae. The finding has been published in scientific journal ZooKeys.
An international team of scientists have found a new rainfrog. They found it on Mount Chucanti. This is a sky island surrounded by lowland tropical rainforest in eastern Panama. The Chucanti reserve was founded by Panamanian conservation organization ADOPTA. It was supported by the Rainforest Trust.
The Greta Thunberg rainfrog have distinctive black eyes. Its closest relatives stay in northwestern Colombia. But the new found frog’s habitat is threatened by rapid deforestation. The frog was first found in Chucanti Reserve. It was preserved by Panamanian Government.
Pristimantis gretathunbergae. Credit: Pensoft Publishers 
Pristimantis gretathunbergae. Credit: Pensoft Publishers
The Rainforest Trust auction named the frog in honor of Greta Thunberg. Scientists feel the urgency to prevent climate change to keep the species alive.
Greta Thunberg rainfrog’s plight is linked to climate warming. Rising temperatures would destroy its small mountain habitat. Mount Chucanti region also lost 30% of its forest over the past 10 years. Chytrid fungus also have some threats for its amphibians. Conservation is crucial for the survival of the frog.
This work was critical for the survival of this frog and many other endangered species.
