A frog barely the size of a microSD card has been discovered Romblon

But scientists warn it may already be critically endangered.

Filipino and American researchers have officially identified a new species of miniature frog found in the forests of Romblon, adding another remarkable discovery to the Philippines’ rich biodiversity.

Named Platymantis guiting, the tiny amphibian measures an average of just 14 millimeters, roughly the size of a microSD card, making it one of the smallest known frogs in the country.

The discovery, published in the scientific journal Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, was made by a research team that included Camila G. Meneses, Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo, Syrus Cesar P. Decena, Christian E. Supsup, and Rafe M. Brown.

The species was documented in the forests of Sibuyan and Tablas islands in Romblon, an island group known for its exceptional concentration of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Interestingly, the frog is not entirely new to scientists. It was first observed in the wild in 2004, but years of fieldwork, genetic testing, and scientific analysis were needed to establish that it was a separate species.

At first glance, Platymantis guiting closely resembles the pygmy forest frog found in Luzon. However, researchers discovered important differences in its DNA, body proportions, and mating calls.

Unlike its relatives, the newly identified frog has proportionally shorter limbs and produces soft, repetitive clicking sounds to attract potential mates.

Its extremely small body is also an example of evolutionary miniaturization, allowing it to occupy specialized habitats within dense forest ecosystems.

But the discovery comes with an alarming warning.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Mimaropa, the species provisionally qualifies as Critically Endangered under the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Its limited geographic distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction and environmental disturbances.

Sibuyan Island, frequently described as the ‘Galápagos of Asia,’ is celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity and numerous endemic species.

Scientists emphasize that protecting the island’s remaining natural forests is essential to ensuring the survival of Platymantis guiting.

The discovery highlights a troubling reality: some of the Philippines’ most extraordinary wildlife could disappear before scientists have even finished documenting it.

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