A new species of frogs has been found- about the size of a pea! They are the smallest frog species in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and one of the tiniest in the whole world! This amazing species are named Microhyla nepenthicola, and were found in the southeast island of Borneo. The miniature frogs were found on the edge of a road. The name Microhyla Nepenticola actually comes from the plant it needs to survive, called Nepenthes Ampullaria. Since the plant grows in dark, shady forests there is plenty of water, and the tadpoles can come to life inside the plant. Now, many scientific teams are trying to find out more about this incredible species- one main question is how they get affected by global warming. To find out about this, they have to find some more Microhyla nepenthicola to observe them. This isn't an easy task looking at the species size. However, the species starts singing around dusk, and this singing has been nicknamed the “amphibian symphony”, so if you cannot see them keep your ears open!
Overall, I think that this article was great and that it’s good to have found out about the Microhyla nepenthicolas existence. It’s just really amazing and fascinating that these tiny creatures exist, and how they are able to survive. Some questions I had while reading the test was “are these frogs able to survive anywhere else on the planet?” and “which factors are the most likely to endanger the frog?” The article says that 1/3 of the world’s amphibians are endangered- wouldn’t this rare species have enemies of some kind? Maybe since they’re so small the other animals don’t notice them as much, or they might have a better change of hiding. Probably the main way these frogs escape from predators is by hiding and possibly camouflage. Dr. Robin Moore mentioned that normally amphibians are very sensitive to their surroundings, and he said that global warming might affect the Microhyla nepenthicolas life style. The only thing that I don’t think is good about the finding of this minute organism is that it might be taken in captivity for showing visitors, doing tests or just having it as a pet.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the frogs being so small that they aren't noticed, and about them hiding from predators. Maybe these two factors are combined in keeping these creatures hidden. Being small can be good and bad, because you can hide more easily, but you're on a lower level on the food chain. One way that one of these frogs can use their size as an advantage is to find a small hole in a tree, or a tiny crevice in a rock and crawl into it. Unless that predator is a bird with a very long, thin beak, the frog is practically untouchable.
I also agree with you on the fact that these tiny frogs might be made into pets, because they're 'SO CUTE', but I think that doing tests on the animals is ok, as long as it isn't harmed. When people do tests on animals, it's usually to find out more about them, and if we find out more about them, we can help their race survive. What is NOT ok is harming the frog while you're doing tests on it.
Hi Julia! I really enjoyed reading your current event, I think that it is really complete. It has important information and your "own" reflection was excellent. At the end, I think that humans are the main destroyers of these rare species because by our activities, we cause their disappearing. :(
ReplyDeleteHey, I agree with you that probably the main way these frogs hide from predators is camouflage! I've never even thought of that :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I really love how your own opinion is detailed and complex :)