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| The Bolivian Cochran frog is a species of glass frog native to Bolivia and notable for its transparent belly (AFP Photo/Oliver QUINTEROS) |
La Paz (AFP) - A rare species of frog native to the eastern slopes of the Bolivian Andes has been spotted in the South American country for the first time in 18 years, the investigation team that made the discovery told AFP.
The
Bolivian Cochran frog is notable for its transparent belly, leading to its
nickname, the "glass frog".
"The
rediscovery of this species fills us with a ray of hope for the future of the
glass frogs -- one of the most charismatic amphibians in the world -- but also
for other species," said investigation team members Rodrigo Aguayo and
Oliver Quinteros, from the Natural History Museum "Alcide d'Orbigny",
and Rene Carpio of the San Simon University in Cochabamba.
The team
came across the frogs on January 8 during a mission to rescue reptiles and
amphibians threatened by a hydroelectric project in the Carrasco National Park
to the east of Cochabamba, the fourth largest city in Bolivia.
Glass frogs
are tiny, measuring only 0.7-0.9 inches (19-24 millimeters) and weighing just
2.5-2.8 ounces (70-80 grams). They can be found in the departments of La Paz
(west), Cochabamba, Santa Cruz (east) and Chuquisaca (southeast).
Some frogs'
hearts and digestive tracts can be seen through their transparent bellies.
Those found
in the Carrasco National Park had a transparent belly with a "white chest.
The bones and vocal sac of the males are dark green," the team said.
The three
frogs found were taken to the K'ayra amphibian conservation center at the
Alcide d'Orbigny museum.
Experts
will try to encourage the frogs to breed as part of a conservation strategy.
The K'ayra
Center is also home to a pair of Sehuenca water frogs, known as Romeo and
Juliet, that scientists have been trying to convince to mate to help preserve
their critically endangered species.
Their
attempts have so far been in vain.
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