Rare frogs in Papua New Guinea

2002/08/08 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Zoologia

Lyophryne shlaghaufeni and Sphenophryne cornuts are very curious species. In the development of the offspring have no tadpoles, that is, tiny frogs are born directly from the eggs. Papua New Guinea is not a good place for the Tadpoles.

That's what biologist David Bickford of the University of Miami has said. He has studied the growth of these frogs and has observed an unusual attitude in these amphibians. For example, the father takes care of the offspring. According to Bickford, this is not often seen in nature.

The frogs hold their father's back, which transports them for at least a week from one place to another in the forest. The father may have 28 children on his back. Then, there and here, the young are released to face their lives. It is not clear how they know where and when they should be liberated, but it seems that instincts are guided.

Although the photo is a bit dark, of the 22 frogs that the crushed frog carries you can see 11.