New Species of See-Through Frog Found

Calling all Muppets fans: A new species of see-through glass frog found in Costa Rica looks just like Kermit.

The lime-green amphibian, which took the Internet by storm this week, has bulging white eyes with perfect black pupils, much like Jim Henson’s musical puppet.But this frog can’t carry a tune. In fact, it has a long whistle like that of an insect, which, according to a new study, may be why scientists didn’t notice it for so long—Costa Rica’s last glass frog discovery occurred in 1973.

Dubbed Diane’s Bare-hearted glass frog (Hyalinobatrachium dianae), the inch-long (2.5 centimeter) amphibian is described February 19 in the journal Zootaxa.

See-Through Stomach

Glass frogs, found in Central and South America rain forests, live high in tree canopies near streams and creeks, descending when it’s time to breed.

The glass frog’s name originates from its translucent, organ-revealing bellies—though the lack of pigmentation is still a mystery to scientists.

Their green coloration, on the other hand, helps the nocturnal frogs stay camouflaged on the undersides of leaves during the day.

The new frog may look like Kermit, but it’s not quite as cuddly: Male glass frogs are very territorial, and will grapple fiercely with other males who trespass on their territory, says Andrew Crawford, a batrachologist at the University of Los Andes in Colombia who wasn’t involved in the new research.

source : http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150421-glass-frog-kermit-discovery-animals-science-costa-rica/