One of the newest amphibians known to science, Rhombophyrne matavy is found only in the Forêt d’Ambre Special Reserve in northern Madagascar (2). This little-known, burrow-dwelling frog has a stout, teardrop-shaped body that is covered in tubercles on the upperside, and short, robust legs that it uses to dig itself into the moist ground (1) (2). Small eyes sit on the large, wide head, and prominent ridges run along the back across the rough, granular skin. Dark brown with irregular dark patches on the upperside, the underside is a contrasting lighter brown with a pinkish tinge on the chest, although the legs are darker, the throat is black and some of the digits are a yellow-cream. Rhombophyrne matavy is similar in appearance to its relative Rhombophryne testudo, but lacks barbels on the lower lip and has a unique call of repeated harmonic notes (2).
- Male snout-vent length: 3.9 - 4.9 cm (2)