In about 3 minutes, the frog’s skin went from smooth to prickly, then quickly returned to smooth skin.
Pristimantis mutabilis – A new species of frog with the ability to transform
Scientists recently announced their discovery of a species of frog in Ecuador capable of intelligent transformation by changing the structure of its skin layer from smooth skin to spikes in the blink of an eye.
This frog was discovered when research duo Katherine and Tim Krynak explored the nature reserve in the cloud forest of the western Andes in Ecuador.
Initially, the two researchers believed it to be a normal frog with a medium-sized, marble-colored skin. But in the face of the threat, the animal began to change its skin, changing from normal skin to skin with spikes on its back.
Researcher Katherine Krynak said: “When I discovered this special point, my colleagues and I decided to bring this frog to the lab to study. Surprisingly, in about 3 minutes, the skin layer. they went from smooth to prickly, then quickly converted to smooth skin.
In about 3 minutes, the skin of Pristimantis mutabilis changed from smooth to prickly, then quickly returned to smooth skin.
Krynak explained that this ability to change skin will help the frog protect itself and easily blend in with surrounding moss and trees. However, this defense may not be sufficient against large predators.
Analysis of morphology and genetics, confirmed the experts in biology, this species is a new species in the animal kingdom and was named Pristimantis mutabilis.
Other members of the team, Dr Juan Guayasamin and Dr Carl Hutter, found that Eleutherodactylus sobetes – a species of frog known earlier, also had the remarkable ability to “turn echinoderms into smooth”. but twice the size of Pristimantis mutabilis.
The team announced that they will continue to learn about Pristimantis mutabilis for more information on the life cycle, movements, behavior as well as to estimate the number of this species in the world. These efforts will help experts deepen their knowledge and find the best way to conserve this species.
