Sunday, October 19, 2003
Not just any Ribbit
Well, this story has been around for a few days, I almost feel embarassed at not having posted it here. The BBC has reported the discovery of the Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (announced in Nature), a purple frog with the most bizarre snout and head I have ever seen. It almost looks like its caught somewhere between fish and amphibian on the evolutionary ladder.
Scientists have given it the name Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis, from the Sanskrit word for nose (nasika); batrachus, meaning frog; and Sahyadri, the name for its mountain home.
N. sahyandrensis is related to a family of frogs in the Seychelles called Sooglossidae. DNA analysis suggests the common ancestor of the animals lived 130 million years ago, when the planet's landmasses were joined together into a giant supercontinent called Gondwana. Its subsequent break-up would have sent the frogs on a diverging path of evolutionary development.
Well, it's purple in colour. One can safely assume it can't sing. I'd say dont kiss the bugger. It just might turn into Prince.
Scientists have given it the name Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis, from the Sanskrit word for nose (nasika); batrachus, meaning frog; and Sahyadri, the name for its mountain home.
N. sahyandrensis is related to a family of frogs in the Seychelles called Sooglossidae. DNA analysis suggests the common ancestor of the animals lived 130 million years ago, when the planet's landmasses were joined together into a giant supercontinent called Gondwana. Its subsequent break-up would have sent the frogs on a diverging path of evolutionary development.
Well, it's purple in colour. One can safely assume it can't sing. I'd say dont kiss the bugger. It just might turn into Prince.
