Horror Frog

This is an amazing adaptation, though even New Scientist uses rather excessive language in describing the process. The similarity to Pleurodeles waltl is rather striking; using existing skeletal structures as defensive weaponry.
 
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The similarity to Pleurodeles waltl is rather striking; using existing skeletal structures as defensive weaponry.
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I was thinking the same when I first stumbled across this. If you (or anyone else) has access to JSTOR or similar subscription based journal archives, the research article was published in Biology Letters. Here's a link to the abstract:

http://journals.royalsociety.org/content/g2085g6274652553/

David C. Blackburn1, James Hanken1, Farish A. Jenkins, Jr1
1Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

Abstract

Vertebrate claws are used in a variety of important behaviours and are typically composed of a keratinous sheath overlying the terminal phalanx of a digit. Keratinous claws, however, are rare in living amphibians; their microstructure and other features indicate that they probably originated independently from those in amniotes. Here we show that certain African frogs have a different type of claw, used in defence, that is unique in design among living vertebrates and lacks a keratinous covering. These frogs have sectorial terminal phalanges on their hind feet that become functional by cutting through the skin. In the resting state, the phalanx is subdermal and attached to a distal bony nodule, a neomorphic skeletal element, via collagen-rich connective tissue. When erected, the claw breaks free from the nodule and pierces the ventral skin. The nodule, suspended by a sheath attached to the terminal phalanx and supported by collagenous connections to the dermis, remains fixed in place. While superficially resembling the shape of claws in other tetrapods, these are the only vertebrate claws known to pierce their way to functionality.
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It is true what they say "you learn something new everyday"
I never knew any frogs had claws.
Very interesting article thankyou for sharing.
 
I was thinking on reading that claws like a bigger version of those on xenopus. Actually, the claws based on the photos look more like track spikes to me.
 
That's very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I agree, nature NEVER ceases to amaze.
 
I've removed all the off topic and tangential posts in this thread. Please report this post if you have any problems with this or PM me directly. Feel free to discuss the non-keratinzed claws of this frog.
 
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