A New Hylid Frog from Eastern Mexico.

A recent acquisition for a university natural‑history collection has revealed a small, previously undocumented frog from the highlands of Veracruz, Mexico. Collected in the late 1940s, the specimens were carefully examined and identified as a new member of the broad‑leaf treefrog family. Listeners will be guided through the initial fieldwork that led to this unexpected find.

The frog, modest in size at just over five centimeters, sports a distinctive bulbous tip on its snout that gives it a subtle “proboscis” appearance. Its limbs are heavily webbed—fingers a third webbed, toes nearly fully so—while the skin is smooth on top but granulated underneath, and a striking triangular flap covers the vent. The preserved coloration is a muted gray‑purple with lighter mottling and cream‑colored spots along the sides and groin.

Beyond the vivid physical description, the discussion explores how these features fit within the larger hylid group and why such details matter to taxonomy and conservation. The narrative stays grounded in the early stages of discovery, offering an accessible glimpse into the meticulous work of classifying a new species.