There are over 200 toxic compounds that have been identified from the skin of these poison frogs (Dendrobatidae) and many of them hold medical potential for use with humans. Investigations of these skin toxins for human applications have included their use as potential painkillers, treatments for diabetes and heart disease, and for use as antibiotics against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Their natural history is just as interesting. After what can be a long and intricate courtship, frogs of the family Dendrobatidae deposit eggs terrestrially. One or both of the parents attend and defend the developing clutch. Depending on the species, one of the parents allows newly hatched tadpoles to squirm onto their backs where the tadpoles attach themselves to the skin of the parent using a glue-like substance. The parent then transports the tadpoles to a water source where the glue-like material breaks down because it is water soluble. The bright colors of poison frogs warn potential predators | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Fenolio, Dante |
Bildgröße: | 6000 px × 4000 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
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