Lesser Treefrog

Fascinating facts about the Lesser Treefrog

• Spanning thirteen countries from Argentina to Venezuela, this tiny frog lives in a variety of habitats across South America. Its presence in everything from tropical rainforests to urban gardens shows it isn’t picky about home. That breadth helps scientists study how frogs adapt to different climates.
• From sea level ponds to mountain streams at 2,000 meters, the frog occupies a wide vertical range in South America.
• When it’s time to mate, males perch on grass, shrubs, or floating plants, defending their spots against rivals.
• A 2014 study by a team of 30 scientists sequenced the frog’s mitochondrial DNA and uncovered 47 distinct genetic groups within the species. That hidden diversity means what looks like one frog is actually many hidden lineages. It reminds us that even common animals can hide complex evolutionary stories.

At a glance

About the Lesser Treefrog

The lesser treefrog, Dendropsophus minutus, is a hylid that ranges across South America, from Brazil to Colombia. Its range stretches from sea level up to 2,000 m, allowing it to inhabit seasonally flooded grasslands, heavily degraded former forest, and other habitats, where it perches on grass, shrubs, and mid-water plants during the breeding season. Males defend prized perches with territorial displays, while females deposit clutches of eggs in still waters, ponds, puddles, canals, and ditches. A 2014 mtDNA study involving 30 scientists identified 47 distinct genetic lineages within the species.

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