Knowra Glass frog Glass frog A tree frog in the family Centrolenidae, known for translucent skin on its underside that can reveal internal organs. Glass frogs live mainly in Central and South American forests.
Centrolenidae : A family of frogs commonly called glass frogs, native mainly to Central and South America. Glass frogs are members of this family, whose translucent undersides give it its common name.
Frog skin : A thin, permeable amphibian covering involved in protection, sensation, and water exchange. Glass frogs’ distinctive translucence comes from the skin on their undersides.
Camouflage : Coloration, pattern, or behavior that reduces an organism’s chance of being detected. The glass frog’s pale underside and leaf-matching back help conceal it from predators.
Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni : A small glass frog species found in Central America and parts of northern South America. This species is a well-studied example of the family’s translucent ventral skin.
Anura : The order of amphibians comprising frogs and toads, characterized by adults without tails. Centrolenidae belongs to this broad group of amphibians.
Transparency in animals : A camouflage strategy in which body tissues transmit enough light to reduce visible outlines. Glass frogs use partial transparency to make their bodies less conspicuous against leaves.
Biofluorescence : The emission of visible light by an organism after it absorbs light at a different wavelength. Some glass frogs fluoresce under ultraviolet illumination, a trait studied alongside their transparency.
Espadarana prosoblepon : A glass frog species found in Central America and northwestern South America. Its range and streamside habits illustrate the ecology of several glass frogs.
Amphibian : A vertebrate in a group that generally has a water-associated larval stage and permeable skin. Glass frogs share the characteristic amphibian life cycle and skin physiology.
Red blood cell : A blood cell that carries oxygen using hemoglobin, which absorbs light and gives blood its red color. Circulating red cells normally obscure organs, making their concealment central to glass frog transparency.
Show all 23