Why glass frogs have see-through skin becomes clear in study

While the amphibian’s body colour changes little, its legs are more translucent to help it blend in

Nicola Davis
@NicolaKSDavis
Mon 25 May 2020 15.00 EDTLast modified on Wed 27 May 2020 06.06 EDT

The mystery of why glass frogs have see-through skin has been solved, scientists say: the unusual feature is a type of camouflage.

Glass frogs are found in tropical Central and South America, and get their name from their skin.

However, the frogs are not truly transparent but translucent, with the skin on their backs typically a vivid green and their intestines and heart visible through their underbelly. This has led to a question that has kept scientists on the hop.

“If predators cannot see straight though the frogs, why do glass frogs have transparent skin at all, and not the opaque camouflaged patterns of other tree frog species?” said Dr James Barnett, a postdoctoral researcher at McMaster University, Canada, who co-authored the study.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/may/25/why-glass-frogs-have-see-through-skin-becomes-clear-study-legs-translucent