Scientists search for the endangered Mesopotamia beaked toad ended in the discovery of three new species of frogs. The new frog species includes one poison secreting frog and two toads.

One of the frog species found is a rocket frog from the poison dart family, though this one carries less poison. From among the two toad species discovered, one toad is found at the altitude of 2,000 km. The uniqueness of this 3-4 cm long toad is its vibrant red eyes. "I have never seen a toad with such vibrant red eyes," said Robin Moore from Conservation International, the scientist who set up the rediscovery project.

The other new discovery is also a small sized toad, about 2 cm long, with a beak shaped head and squinty eyes. The uniqueness of this find is that this one produces toadlets resembling fallen leaves to avert attention. This is the reason why this species was hidden from human eyes for so long.

The three species found in Colombia hunt in the day time unlike its cousins. "This trait is highly unusual for amphibians, and its discovery offers us a terrific opportunity to learn more about how and why it adapted this way."

Though the Columbian expedition failed to find Mesopotamia beaked toad, members of the expedition rediscovered a cave-dwelling Mexican salamander last seen in 1941 and two West African reed frogs- the Omaniundu reed frog and Mount Nimba reed frog.

The expedition co-ordinated by Conservation International and International Union for the Conservation of Nature was intended to draw attention to the plight of amphibians around the world. One third of the amphibian family is under the threat of extinction. It was carried out in 19 countries around the world in search of 100 endangered species.