Wee Orange 'Pumpkin' Frogs Have Bones That Glow Through Their Skin

[Judi Lynn]

By Mindy Weisberger, Senior Writer | March 29, 2019 07:00am ET

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This is a pumpkin toadlet (Brachycephalus ephippium) under natural light (left) and ultra-violet light (right).
Credit: Sandra Goutte/NYU Abu Dhabi


In eastern Brazil's Atlantic Forest, poisonous "pumpkin toadlets" use their vivid colors to warn off predators. But these tiny frogs also broadcast a secret visual signal: They glow bright blue under ultraviolet light.

Scientists unexpectedly discovered the glowing patterns in two species of pumpkin toadlets (Brachycephalus ephippium and B. pitanga) while investigating the tiny frogs' mating calls. To the human eye, the frogs appear orange, red or yellow in natural light.

But when researchers shone a UV lamp on the frogs, blue patterns emerged on the toadlets' heads, backs and legs. [In Photos: Cute and Colorful Frogs]

Fluorescence is extremely rare in land animals with backbones, and while scientists don't know how the pumpkin toadlets use their glow, it may help them to recognize prospective mates or protect them from predators, the researchers reported in a new study.

More:
https://www.livescience.com/65107-tiny-fluorescent-toadlets.html

[GemDigger]

1. Cute little bugger.