From tropical tree tops to lake bottoms to frozen tundra, the diverse group of amphibians we call frogs and toads has conquered nearly every environment on planet earth. Through the process of natural selection, early frog ancestors branched out into over 4000 species; each with a set of traits perfectly suited to its surroundings. While many of these traits—webbed feet, slimy skin, large eyes–seem familiar, some frogs have developed abilities that are so unusual they resemble comic book superpowers.
Designer: Victoria Malabrigo. Producer: Eric R. Olson.
Sources:
Penn State University – Rana sylvatica http://www.psu.edu/dept/nkbiology/naturetrail/speciespages/woodfrog.htm
Natural Freezing Tolerance in Animals. K. B. Storey , J. M. Storey
Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 1996. 27:365 http://http-server.carleton.ca/~kbstorey/pdf/322.pdf
Encyclopedia of Life – Telmatobius culeus http://eol.org/pages/330775/details
Amphibian Ark – Telmatobius culeus http://www.amphibianark.org/telmatobius-culeus/
The gliding ability of Agalychnis spurelli and the significance of size and morphology.
K. Godfrey, The Manchester Museum. http://frogblogmanchester.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/agalychnis-spurrelli.pdf
Scientific American – Sticky Business: Tree Frogs Hang Tight–But How? http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tree-frogs-hang-tight-but-how/
