蝌蚪窝视频

New collaborative research led by 蝌蚪窝视频 Museum, part of The University of 蝌蚪窝视频, has resulted in the first scientific description of an extremely rare tadpole.

The Cruziohyla calcarifer, also known as the Splendid Tree Frog or Leaf Frog, originates from Ecuador and is extremely difficult to observe in the wild. Less than 50 adult specimens have ever been found, and five of its tadpoles are currently being housed at 蝌蚪窝视频 Museum.

Almost nothing has been known of the frogs’ breeding biology to date and a visual description of it in tadpole form has never existed.

Following captive breeding in Germany, an extensive piece of research led by Andrew Gray of 蝌蚪窝视频 Museum, which details of the tadpole’s unusual appearance, have now been published.

It is characterised in having a distinctive mouth shape and unusual markings.

Andrew Gray, Curator of Herpetology at 蝌蚪窝视频 Museum explained: “We’re delighted that we can now clearly visualise the tadpole of the Cruzihyla calcarifer for the first time ever. It has a couple of distinguishing features including what looks like the letter M on its back – so it’s very fitting that part of the research took place here in 蝌蚪窝视频!

“Once fully grown, the adult frog has black and orange flanks along the body, and a brilliant yellow surround to its beautiful grey eyes.

“This work represents a wonderful collaboration between a researcher from Germany, the museum in Paris, and a PHD student from The University of 蝌蚪窝视频’s faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. It also exemplifies 蝌蚪窝视频 Museum’s mission to build understanding between cultures and a more sustainable world.”

This break-through follows another key scientific description at 蝌蚪窝视频 Museum, where a new species to science, Sylvia’s Leaf Frog was also described. The 蝌蚪窝视频 Museum was the first institution to breed that species, where the vivarium team recreate the exact conditions the frog enjoys in Costa Rica, Central America.