Researchers have discovered a new shape-shifting frog located in the Ecuadorian Andes. The amphibian is able to alter the appearance of its skin in about three minutes to copy the surface it is currently sitting on.
The discovery, which was recently published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean, was made by a Case Western Reserve PhD student Katherine Krynak, and her husband Tim Krynak. They made the discovery of the frog at the Case Western Reserve, according to Slash Gear.
The Krynaks first observed the frog species in July 2009 when they spotted one sitting on a leaf. "Punk Rocker" was the nickname they gave the marble-wide amphibian because of the tiny spines on its body.
When the Krynaks placed the frog on a piece of smooth plastic, its spines disappeared. Then when they put the frog into a cup and added some moss, the spines reappeared!
The species of the frog is Pristimantis mutabilis (mutable rainfrog). Its shape-shifting results from the texture of its skin changing between the range of smooth to "tubercular," referring to a symptom of the disease tuberculosis.
Experts believe that the frog found in the Andes was the first of its kind among amphibians. While another related frog with the same shape-shifting capability was also recently discovered it had not yet been reported, according to Phys.org.
The changes in the frog's skin allow it to blend in with the environment around it--Ecuador's Reserva Las Gralarias. The reserve was originally opened to protect endangered species of birds.
Because at least two types of frogs can shape-shift, researchers must now be cautious not to misidentify frogs as the wrong frog species. They should include methods such as photographs and lengthier observations. Looks can be deceiving.