A new species of venomous frog, scientifically named Excidobates perplexus, has been discovered in the country of Ecuador. The small amphibian, measuring between 15.1 and 18.3 millimeters in length, was identified in two distinct populations along the Paute River and north of the Cordillera del Condor, located in the southern part of the country. This species belongs to the genus Excidobates, a group of venomous frogs whose full diversity is still not well understood by scientists. The two populations, though part of the same species, differ in their coloration. The population found in the Cordillera del Condor has a green back with irregular yellow spots, while the other population is black with bright red patterns. This variation in color led researchers to name the species perplexus, which comes from the Latin word meaning "perplexing," "bewildering," or "puzzling." A genetic analysis confirmed that the two populations are not separate species, despite their differences in appearance. The new species faces several threats to its survival. The population in the Cordillera del Condor is located within large mining areas where copper, gold, and molybdenum are planned to be extracted. Additionally, these frogs are highly sought after on the black market as collectible animals. Excidobates perplexus live in well-preserved forests where trees taller than 15 meters provide ideal perches for male frogs to call and attract mates. The discovery of Excidobates perplexus is credited to a team of scientists from several institutions, including Inabio, Jungle Dave's Science Foundation, San Francisco de Quito University, Azuay University, Nukamp Foundation, Central Florida University, and the Catholic University of Ecuador. The name "perplexing" was officially published in the scientific journal Zootaxa, which specializes in the classification and naming of animal species.