Torrent Frog Does Not Fall Off Slippery Rotating Platform
Posted on November 3, 2013
Scientists tested a torrent frog Staurois guttatus on a slippery rotating platform with running water. The torrent frog is known for its ability to climb in wet environments near waterfalls. The torrent frog did not fall off even when the platform was turned nearly completely upside down. It significantly outperformed tree frogs in the test. The scientists found using electron microscopy that torrent frogs have cells that are more elongated on its toe pads than tree frogs. They say this probably helps the cells create channels to drain excess fluid underneath the toe pads.
Thomas Endlein, from the Centre for Cell Engineering at the University, said in a statement, "Torrent frogs adhere to very wet and rough surfaces by attaching not only their specialised toe pads (like many tree frogs do) but also by using their belly and ventral thigh skin. In addition, torrent frogs exhibit elongated cells on their toe pads which might help to drain off excess water for close surface attachment."
Take a look:
The study was published here in PLoS One.