Frog can fit on the end of your finger
Frog can fit on the end of your finger
A frog that can perch on the tip of your pinkie with room to spare has been claimed as the world's smallest vertebrate species, out-tinying a fish that got the title in 2006. But the discoverer of another weensy fish disputes the claim.
A tempest in a thimble, some might say.
An article Wednesday in the journal PLoS One named Paedophryne amauensis (pee-doh-FRY-nee AM-OW-en-sis) as the world's smallest animal with a spine.
The adult frogs are about three-tenths of an inch long, and a millimeter or so smaller than a carp found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The frogs are so small that Louisiana State University herpetologist and environmental biologist Christopher Austin had to enlarge close-up photos to describe them.
But the males of a species of deep-sea anglerfish are about 2 mm smaller, said University of Washington ichthyologist Theodore Pietsch, who described them in 2006. The males don't have stomachs and live as parasites on 1.8-inch-long females.
Austin discovered the tiny frogs — along with another small frog species — in August 2009 while on a trip to Papua New Guinea to study the extreme diversity of the island's wildlife. He said he knew about the anglerfish but felt that average species size made more sense for comparison.
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- Posted on January 11, 2012
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Wow that's incredibly small to fit on your pinkie. I remember this in our TFK in social studies. The Paedophryne amauensis sounds really interesting considering it's the smallest frog in the world. I wonder what the Paedophryne amauensis can eat since it's really tiny?
Wow that is incredible!! That is the tiniest animal with a spin. That is amazing that there is a tiny frog. Man that is so cool to see the world so BIG.
This is incredible! Right now we are creating a project inspecting different kinds of eyes of different animal species. I know one of the groups have this particular animal as well, small world. Earlier, I had learned about Wetlands, and how they are being endangered on Earth. From the construction, and building, taking up so much space, I am amazed and glad species like this are still possible. I hope the world gets to focus less on cement, and paint, and more on nature and animals.
Oh my gosh it is so tiny and adorable. I want one its considered the smallest animal with a spine. I cant believe it fits on your pinkie finger with room that is left. I really want one. That would be cool to be the first who first found this frog they must have been so excited.
Oh my gosh. That frog is so small! It has the title for the worlds smallest animal with a spine. The only thing is that there is a fish that some say is even smaller. So who knows if the frog will keep that spot. Still though it is a very small frog. It is only 3 tenths of an inch long.
Extra Credit
1. What is this article about?
This article is about the worlds tiniest vertabrate, a miniature little frog.
2. How does this article affect you today?
It tells me about a new species.
3. How will this affect you in the future?
I love frogs, so I would like to get this kind of frog as a pet.
SCIENCE: Wow, the world's smallest vertebrate species is a tiny frog! It can fit on the tip of your finger . The adult frogs of this species are three-tenths of an inch long.The University of Washington ichthyologist ,Theodore Pietsch, says that the males species of deep-sea angler fish are about 2 mm smaller. The male species of the frogs don't have stomachs and live as parasites on 1.8 female frogs.
That is amazing that a frog could be that small! I don't know how all of its organs are able to fit into a body only three-tenths of an inch long. While this species of frog is getting praise as being the smallest animal with a spine, I believe that these amphibians could be in serious danger because of their size. It is very likely that this species could be wiped out because of natural predators and because humans among other things, such as cars, can easily squash and kill these little guys. I think that there should be a special watch of the populations of these special frogs to prevent them from becoming endangered.
From the picture I thought the frog was perched on a plate. 1.8 inch long frog is astonishing. I would love to see it in person. I wonder if anybody else found these in other parts of the country. It says it was described in 2006. does that mean it was found in 2006.
Smallest frog I ever seen in my life! If it can fit on my finger it better stay away from under me, I don't want to step on it.