Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsAlsodes vittatus, the Malleco spiny-chest frog, has been documented again in Chile after 130 years without an observation. A 2025 study found the frog at three sites near its historic type locality in the Andean foothills of the La Araucanía Region. The finding is a rediscovery of a species lost from scientific observation—not proof that a formally extinct frog has returned.
What species was rediscovered?
The rediscovered amphibian is Alsodes vittatus (Philippi, 1902), commonly called the Malleco spiny-chest frog. It was originally collected in 1893 by Philibert Germain. Claudio Correa, Edvin Riveros-Riffo and Juan P. Donoso reconstructed clues from that historical collecting route and surveyed nearby Andean foothill habitats.
Their peer-reviewed account, published in ZooKeys in 2025, records three localities assigned to A. vittatus. The researchers also found Alsodes frogs at two other localities, but identified those populations as A. igneus. Thus, the study reports five newly discovered Alsodes localities in total, not five confirmed locations for A. vittatus. Read the study in full.
Where was the frog found?
All three confirmed A. vittatus sites are close to the species’ historic type locality in Chile’s La Araucanía Region. The paper does not present a comprehensive modern range map or a population census. These records show that the species persists in the area where historical evidence suggested it might occur; they do not establish how widely it is distributed elsewhere.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- CUTE WIZARD DESIGN: This adorable frog plush doll features a witch hat and wand, perfect for Halloween-themed decor.
- HANDCRAFTED QUALITY: Each stuffed magical frog is carefully handcrafted, making every doll uniquely charming and full of character.
- DESKTOP ORNAMENT: Compact and delightful, this plush frog serves as a fun and whimsical desktop or shelf decoration.
- GREAT PRESENT IDEA: Makes a wonderful present for frog lovers, Halloween enthusiasts, or anyone who enjoys cute novelty plush toys.
- SOFT AND CUDDLY: Made with soft plush materials, this small stuffed frog is huggable and safe to display or play with.
Was it officially declared extinct?
No. The frog went 130 years without a confirmed observation after its original collection, which made it “lost to science” in practical terms. That absence is different from a formal extinction determination. A species can remain undetected because it is rare, difficult to survey, geographically restricted or living in habitats that receive little field attention.
The 2025 observations therefore provide new evidence of survival, but they do not demonstrate that the population is large, stable or recovering.
Rank #2
- This plush is approx. 3.5" x 8" x 4" in size
- Made from deluxe materials for a cloud-like softness!
- This light and fluffy Frog plush makes for a great cuddling partner
- Mini Flopsies are designed to lay resting on its belly for easy, fun play
- To ensure stability and quality, this plush contains bean pellets suitable for all ages
How did scientists identify it?
Historical-route reconstruction
The team used the 1893 collecting history to focus searches around the route and landscape associated with the type material. This approach narrowed fieldwork to plausible habitats rather than treating the entire region as equally likely.
Morphology of several life stages
Identification combined external morphology in adults and juveniles with genetic analysis. One historically prominent feature is a vertebral stripe running along the back. The study found that this stripe varies within populations, so its absence in an individual cannot by itself exclude A. vittatus.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
- This plush is approx. 3" x 3" x 4" in size.
- Made from high-quality materials for a soft, fluffy touch.
- The clip-on fits on your purse, wallet, backpack, and many other accessories!
- Now in a fun clip-on design so you can easily take it wherever you go!
- This Palm Pal Clip-On is recommended for ages 12+ months, free from bean pellets.
Genetic evidence
Mitochondrial-gene results placed the newly sampled A. vittatus populations as paraphyletic with respect to the single A. neuquensis individual included in the analysis. Along with morphological similarity and geographic proximity, that result raises the possibility that the two names could represent one species. It does not settle the question: the authors state that sampling and current evidence are insufficient to revise the taxonomy, and relationships among several nearby Chilean Andean Alsodes remain uncertain.
How does its conservation status stand?
| Authority or assessment | Status reported in the 2025 study | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| IUCN Red List | Data Deficient | Available information is insufficient for a confident threat category. |
| Chile’s official national listing | Critically Endangered | The national category was described as relying on a reduced distribution near the type locality and habitat deterioration. |
| Authors’ discussion | Reassessment recommended; Endangered discussed as a possibility | This is a scientific recommendation, not a verified formal change in Chile’s listing. |
Correa and colleagues question whether locality information used in the national assessment actually refers to A. vittatus or instead to A. igneus. They argue that the category should be revisited in light of the newly confirmed localities. Until an authority completes that process, the published labels remain Data Deficient internationally and Critically Endangered nationally, as reported by the study.
Rank #4
- CUTE WIZARD DESIGN: This adorable frog plush doll features a witch hat and wand, perfect for Halloween-themed decor.
- HANDCRAFTED QUALITY: Each stuffed magical frog is carefully handcrafted, making every doll uniquely charming and full of character.
- DESKTOP ORNAMENT: Compact and delightful, this plush frog serves as a fun and whimsical desktop or shelf decoration.
- GREAT PRESENT IDEA: Makes a wonderful present for frog lovers, Halloween enthusiasts, or anyone who enjoys cute novelty plush toys.
- SOFT AND CUDDLY: Made with soft plush materials, this small stuffed frog is huggable and safe to display or play with.
What the rediscovery does—and does not—tell us
- It confirms persistence: three nearby populations were assigned to A. vittatus using morphology and phylogenetic evidence.
- It improves the evidence base: field researchers now have contemporary specimens and localities to investigate.
- It does not measure abundance: the study does not provide a comprehensive estimate of total population size, trend or long-term viability.
- It does not resolve taxonomy: the relationship between A. vittatus and A. neuquensis remains an open research question.
- It does not automatically change legal status: any revision to Chile’s official category requires a formal assessment.
Why this matters for the frog’s future
A rediscovered population gives conservationists a concrete place to protect and study. Follow-up work can determine whether the three sites contain many frogs or only small, isolated groups; whether they occupy the same habitat conditions year after year; and whether additional populations occur beyond the surveyed foothills. Better distribution, demographic and genetic data would also help evaluate the disputed national assessment and the possible relationship with A. neuquensis.
For now, the most accurate conclusion is measured but significant: the Malleco spiny-chest frog was not seen for 130 years, and researchers have now documented it at three locations near where it was first collected. That is a genuine rediscovery—and a reason for targeted conservation—not evidence that the species has already recovered.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COFFEE SIPPIN' WAWA (SCENTED) - Wawa has sweet heart eyes and a cute little drink he loves to take sips from. This adorable, scented plush gives off a fragrant coffee scent.
- WAWA THE FROGGIE - Join Wawa on his hoppin' fun adventures as he tries out different things! This time, Wawa got a little tired on his journey and stopped for a lil' snack break. Adventurers need to refuel too! Be sure to collect all of his different forms.
- CUTE & CUDDLY - Use Wawa to decorate your room, car, bedroom office, and more! Take them with you in your car, hold them while you are watching your shows, or add them to your stuffed animal collection. They will add some extra cuteness to any room!
- FUN & MEMORABLE TO ALL - Cuddle Barn toys stand out from all the rest! Cuddle Barn’s animated plush toys and soft plush friends make the perfect gift that will bring endless smiles and lasting memories to all. Recommended for ages 0+.
- MATERIALS & CARE - Made with a soft polyester material. If Wawa gets dirty, we recommend using a damp towel to spot clean.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
