Tuesday 4 April 2017

world’s first fluorescent frog

Scientists have discovered the world’s first fluorescent frog in Argentina.
ABOUT THE GLOWING FROG :
(i) Researchers found a South American polka dot tree frog (Hypsiboas punctatus) that uses fluorescent molecules, totally unlike those found in other animals.
(ii) The newly discovered frog sports a muted palette of greens, yellows and reds under normal light but gives off a bright blue and green glow in the dark.
(iii) Scientists expected to find red fluorescence in these frogs from a pigment called biliverdin.
ABOUT FLUORESCENCE :
(a) The ability to absorb light at short wavelengths and re-emit it at longer wavelengths is called fluorescence. The phenomena is rare in terrestrial animals.
(b) Many ocean creatures exhibit fluorescence, including corals, fish, sharks and one species of sea turtle. On land, fluorescence was previously known in only parrots and some scorpions.
Why animals have this ability :
 It is unclear why animals have this ability but some explanations include communication, camouflage and mate attraction etc.

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