What Happened To Chetna

A different tree frog frogs

Hyla arborea with axantismo

A week ago I was with Hector Ruiz and Tino in the Puertu (Sumieo) to see the Bluethroat ( Lucina svecica ) raising in the area. When we were watching them from the broom, listening and began to sing the tree frog (Hyla arborea ) in a nearby pond. We all know frogs by their deep green color and its shape is reminiscent of tropical tree frogs.

Hyla arborea typical staining

But of all normal-appearing frogs that were in the pool, find one with a different color, because instead of being green was gray. This color variety is very rare and I, is the first time I've seen in this species. The green color of San Antonio frogs is due to the combination of several pigment cells: xantóforos (responsible for yellow), iridóforos (responsible for blue) and melanophores (responsible for brown or black color.) When these cells are present, which is the most normal, the frog has a green color characteristic of the species.

When the yellow pigment is not present, the results are frogs or grayish blue. blue varieties are more common in Hyla meridionalis. This phenomenon is called and is Axantismo result of a recessive genetic mutation that causes the xantóforos not form.