Glass frogs spotted after 18 years
2020.02.18
A RARE species of frog native to the eastern slopes of the Bolivian Andes has been spotted in the South American country for the first time in 18 years, the investigation team that made the discovery said.
The Bolivian Cochran frog is notable for its transparent belly, leading to its nickname, the ‘glass frog’.
“The rediscovery of this species fills us with a ray of hope for the future of the glass frogs – one of the most charismatic amphibians in the world – but also for other species,” said the investigation team.
The team came across the frogs on 8 January during a mission to rescue reptiles and amphibians threatened by a hydroelectric project in the Carrasco National Park to the east of Cochabamba, the fourth largest city in Bolivia (玻利維亞).
Glass frogs are tiny, measuring only 19-24 millimetres and weighing just 70-80 grams. Some frogs’hearts and digestive tracts can be seen through their transparent bellies. They can be found in the departments of La Paz (west), Cochabamba, Santa Cruz (east) and Chuquisaca (southeast).
Those found in the Carrasco National Park had a transparent belly with a white chest. The bones and vocal sac of the males are dark green, the team said.
The three frogs found were taken to the K’ayra amphibian conservation centre at the Alcide d’Orbigny museum.
Experts will try to encourage the frogs to breed as part of a conservation strategy.
(This article is published on Junior Standard on 18 February 2020)
Glass frog – Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biodiversity – National Geographic
