Finding frogs with canines in Indonesia

Canadian scientists claim to have discovered nine species of frogs with new fangs in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia.

Biologist Ben Evans of McMaster University, Canada, and his colleagues spent years exploring at night along rivers in the forests of Sulawesi, despite many dangers, especially cobra . As a result, they caught 683 children from 13 species of frogs with different canines.

A species of frog with new fangs discovered on Sulawesi island. (Photo: National Geographic)

The team analyzed DNA and distributed maps of 13 species of frogs with canines, identified as belonging to the genus Limnonectes , of which 9 were new to the scientific world.

According to an article published in National Geographic magazine (USA), these frogs' canines are not true teeth but rather a raised jaw bone and some of them cannot be seen through the gum slots.

A new species of frog with new canines discovered. (Photo: National Geographic)

Professor Evans is not yet clear why these frogs evolved with fangs, but there is a possibility that they use dentures as sharp spines to secure prey caught in water like tadpoles, insects and even small fish.

In addition, they may use fangs to fight other male frogs to protect the territory or to defend themselves against the enemy. However, scientists have not recorded any cases of frogs using teeth to bite people.

A species of frog with fangs protects egg nests on leaves on Sulawesi island. (Photo: National Geographic)

Frogs with fangs on Sulawesi are very diverse in body shape, some are large with a body length of about 10cm and wide legs that help them to 'swim' quickly in the water. In contrast, some other species are smaller with a body length of about 5cm and have a narrow footprint that helps them better adapt to most of their terrestrial life.

One of nine frog species has new teeth for the scientific world. (Photo: National Geographic)

In addition to discovering the diversity of frogs with canines on Sulawesi Island, Professor Evans also expressed concern: 'During the study, several species of frogs with canines were collected in the areas. The forest area is seriously impacted by logging problems, many places we returned a few years later, and found that the forests here have disappeared. '

Scientists do not think frogs with these fangs may become extinct, but local authorities need to have priority conservation measures on them.