Not quite living big, this Brachycephalus ferruginus is a miniature Brazilian frog.Luiz Fernando RibeiroThe combination of fluid and tiny hairs in the inner ear help the vertebrate brain translate an organisms position in area and offers a sense of balance. These vestibular systems evolved hundreds of millions of years back, some types are no longer able to make excellent use of them. According to a paper released today (June 15) in Science Advances, pumpkin toadlets (genus Brachycephalus, and theyre in fact frogs) from Brazil have evolved to such diminutive size that there isnt enough of a vestibular signal to keep the amphibians steady while they jump.Some types freeze while jumping away from predators in order to give the impression of being a leaf blowing in the breeze and stay motionless even after landing. This does not appear to be whats occurring with Brachycephalus types. While the frogs do not rapidly return to their feet, they do move as soon as they struck the ground, as displayed in the video listed below. Additionally, many Brachycephalus frogs are vibrantly colored and dont have the leaflike camouflage of other types, further showing its a balance problem rather than a predation avoidance strategy.
