Some frogs found in South and Central America have the rare ability to turn on and off their nearly transparent appearance, researchers report in the journal Science.
This photo provided by researchers in December 2022 shows a glass frog, strict leaf dwelling frogs, that sleep, forage, fight, mate, and provide parental care on leaves over tropical streams. Some frogs found in South and Central America have the rare ability to turn on and off their nearly transparent appearance, researchers report Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in the journal Science.
Using light and ultrasound imaging technology, the researchers discovered the secret: While asleep, the frogs concentrate, or “hide,” nearly 90% of their red blood cells in their liver. Exactly how they do this, and why it doesn’t kill them, remains a mystery. For most animals, having very little blood circulating oxygen for several hours would be deadly. And concentrating blood so tightly would result in fatal clotting. But somehow, the frogs survive.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Handmade glass ornaments are a labor of love at Glass Arts IndianaAt Glass Arts Indiana, artists come together to create and teach the art form. One class teaches students to create a glass holiday ornament.
Read more »
Handmade glass ornaments are a labor of love at Glass Arts IndianaAt Glass Arts Indiana, artists come together to create and teach the art form. One class teaches students to create a glass holiday ornament.
Read more »
Glass act: Scientists reveal secrets of frog transparencyA species of glass frogs found in South and Central America has the rare ability to turn on and off its transparent appearance.
Read more »
Glass frogs turn translucent by ‘hiding’ blood in their liverGlass frogs become more than twice as see-through while they sleep by pooling their blood in their liver. Understanding how they do this without clotting problems could provide new insights into preventing dangerous clots in other animals – including us
Read more »
Glass frogs become see-through by hiding their bloodThe arboreal amphibians store almost all of their red blood cells in their livers when they camouflage
Read more »