Strangely, the transparent glass frog can clearly see the entire inside of the body
03/23/2022 11:13 GMT+7
Two new species of glass frogs were discovered in Ecuador with clear bellies revealing a red heart, white liver and digestive system.
Researchers from the University of San Francisco de Quito discovered unusual-looking frogs near an active mining site in the Andes, Ecuador. The two new species have been named the Mashpi glass frog and the Nouns glass frog.
 |
| Glass frogs have a green back, so they are difficult to detect when they hide on leaves |
Both frogs look very similar. They have a transparent abdomen that sees through to reveal the red heart, white liver, digestive system and green eggs in the female’s body.
Adult frogs are green or yellowish green with yellow spots. Their backs show numerous small dark green dots. They are nocturnal arboreal and camouflage during the day on the undersides of leaves.
According to experts, despite their similar appearance and living only a few kilometers apart, DNA analysis and recording of their calls show that these are two distinct species.
 |
| Transparent glass frog clearly see the whole inside of the body |
One of the researchers, Becca Brunner, explains: “When we explore extremely remote places, we can discover new species. Just walking a few kilometers through the mountainside can be found. a different frog community than where you started”.
When they first discovered the glass frog Mashpi, researchers thought it was the Valerioi glass frog that was found in the lowlands. However, analyzing their calls, they found that these are two distinct species.
The researchers recommend that despite being discovered for a short time, both species of frogs are classified as ‘endangered’.
Professor Juan M. Guayasamín, study co-author, said the glass frogs live in areas of forest that has suffered a lot of destruction related to agriculture over the past decades. Due to habitat loss, the number of frog species decreased.
In addition, a study published in early 2022 found that 90 amphibians have been wiped out due to the effects of dangerous fungal diseases. It affects frogs, toads, and salamanders. The disease is responsible for the dramatic population decline in more than 400 species over the past 50 years.
The disease, called chytridiomycosis, usually eats the skin of amphibians, threatening to make many animals extinct.
Hoang Dung (synopsis)
at Blogtuan.info – Source: infonet.vietnamnet.vn – Read the original article here
