Unusual Type… Discovery of small “fanged” frogs in the forests of Indonesia
A team of scientists has discovered small frogs with “fangs” weighing no more than two grams in the volcanic highlands of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
The journal PLOS ONE indicates that these frogs belong to the species Limnonectes phyllofolia and are characterized by their small size, attributed to species that lay eggs.
Researchers found these frogs during their study of tropical forests, discovering their eggs on tree leaves and rocks covered with algae, which is unusual as frogs typically lay their eggs in water.
Subsequently, the researchers, an Indonesian-American scientific team, observed small frogs with brownish spots, roughly the size of a metallic coin, guarding their nests.
What makes this intriguing is that the males care for the eggs and tadpoles, covering them with special compounds to protect them from drying out and bacteria.
These frogs are distinguished by having small teeth in the upper jaw and small fangs in the lower jaw, similar to several frog species found in Southeast Asia. They use these fangs for self-defense and protecting their territories, as well as for hunting.
Studies have shown that frog teeth evolved independently at least four times, and similar frogs have been found in Cambodia, Vietnam, West Africa, and South America.
Scientists in Rwanda recently discovered frogs that resemble the sound of children’s toys, living at elevations of about 2 km above sea level.
