Researchers Discover Fluorescent Frogs In South America; First Time Discovery In Amphibians
The first fluorescent frog has recently been discovered by scientists in South America. The researchers at the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences of Buenos Aires discovered the frog accidentally.
According to a report, the researchers were trying to study a polka dot frog. They believed that the frogs they studied would give out a red glow because of the dots that are pigments of the skin. However, when a UVA flashlight was shone on these polka dot tree frogs, they saw that the frogs radiated a green or blue glow.
The discovery of the fluorescent frogs had been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The scientists indicated that there could be more of these fluorescent frogs that can be found.
A report indicated that the discovery of the fluorescent frog is a step forward in understanding amphibians. These fluorescent animals absorb light and will re-emit the light at a longer wavelength. It is indicated that this phenomenon has been discovered in other species but not with amphibians. This may be the first one that has been discovered.
As the researchers further studied the fluorescent frog, they discovered three molecules. These molecules are hyloin-L1, hyloin-L2, and hyloin-G2. These three molecules found in the frog are the components responsible for the glow.
Meanwhile, the scientists added that the molecules that have been found in the fluorescent frog contain a ring structure. It also has hydrocarbons that are known to be rare in known fluorescent molecules in animals.
It is indicated that these frogs may use the glow for communication. It may be used by frogs to attract a male. This could also be used by a male frog to communicate to other frogs about his location. This is specifically made for frog eyes.
There have to be more studies done for the fluorescent frog. However, as of this time, the researchers indicated that the glow is pleasing enough to the frog's eyes.
