Transparent glass frogs clearly see the beating heart

The skin of glass frogs seems transparent, allowing a clear view of many organs within their bodies.

An international team of researchers found that the new glass frog has a scientific name, Hyalinobatrachium yaku (H.yaku), in three locations between 300 and 350 meters high, in the Amazon plains in Ecuador, according to Live Science. The research results are published in ZooKeys magazine in May 5/2017.

The new frog has the transparent skin under the belly, revealing a small, dark red heart that is easily visible from the outside. The researchers said that only two glass frogs have hearts visible to the skin like H.yaku frogs, but DNA analysis suggests they are not close relatives of H.yaku.

A mature glass frog Hyalinobatrachium yaku has almost transparent body.(Photo: JM Guayasamin).

The distinction of frog species in the genus Hyalinobatrachium is a major challenge because they are quite physically similar. In the case of H.yaku, the distinctive cry and dark blue dots on its head help researchers know this is a new species. Genetic analysis confirmed that H.yaku has the closest kinship to H. Pellucidum, a glass frog found in Ecuador and Peru.

H.yaku frog body length is about 21mm, of which the first part accounts for 37%. Adult frogs are green or yellowish green with yellow spots. Their backs show a myriad of dark blue dots. This is a rare feature of this frog.

The two locations found H.yaku frog located quite far from each other, about 110km. This indicates that their range of life can go far beyond the location of the specimens found. H.yaku is a frog that lives on trees , so it is difficult to detect.

According to the team, many glass frogs in the area are likely to remain undetected. In addition, human activity can be a serious threat to this amphibian group. Federal plans in Ecuador to expand oil exploration activities are contaminating water resources, seriously affecting frog habitats.