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Post your comment or, ask a question:
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Posted by:
Marg (Ayia Napa) 31st March 2011 - 20:08
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I have listened to the mating call and I am sure that I have just heard it coming from the trees and bushes on a traffic island, but I couldn't see anything.
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Posted by:
Hans (Amsterdam) 31st March 2011 - 20:32
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The scientists in the Laboratory must have been 'hopping' mad when they discovered that the frog had escaped - tee hee !
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Posted by:
Geoff (Famagusta) 31st March 2011 - 20:44
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I wouldn't worry - it'll definitely have 'croaked' by now !
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Post your comment - Ask a question ?
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New species - 'ultra' transparent frog discovered in Cyprus
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The frog, a freak of nature, is believed to be the result of a genetic mutation in the small green tree frog ( Hyla savignyi or, Hyla arborea )
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Scientists believe that the gene that is usually responsible for the development of the frog's skin has somehow been replaced with the gene that determines the development of the frog's eye lenses which are transparent. The result is an 'ultra' transparent frog.
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Japanese scientists have already patented a process of artificial insemination which produces a frog with skin which is semi transparent but, even they, were amazed to see (or, not to see) the 'ultra' transparent frog.
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Unfortunately, the laboratory that is carrying out the research into the 'ultra' transparent frog was severely damaged in the recent Japanese earthquake and the frog, which was being kept under lock and key and was a closely guarded secret, escaped !
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Various organisations are funding the Japanese laboratory's research into the 'ultra' transparent frog and now, the race is on to find another of the genetically mutated frogs, so that, the research can continue.
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It is rumoured that two of the companies who are funding the research into the special properties of the 'ultra' transparent frog's skin have joined forces and may offer a reward for the capture and delivery of another 'ultra' transparent frog.
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Lockheed Martin, who are interested in developing a totally transparent stealth fighter, and Procter and Gamble, who own the " Oil of Olay " skin care range and are interested in seeing whether the frog's DNA contains anything that will enable them to develop a cream that makes wrinkles transparent or, disappear completely, are both, two of the companies who are funding the research.
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The two companies are considering whether to run a joint appeal and to offer a $100,000 US Dollar reward to anyone who can capture one of the frogs. A company spokesman said " Needless to say, they are not easy to find, but they do have a very distinct mating call which is easily identifiable. If you do hear the mating call, you are virtually guaranteed to find one of the rare 'ultra' transparent frogs in a tree close-by and once one has been located, they are not that difficult to catch."
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The Small Green Tree Frog is found where there is plenty of vegetation and usually, in close proximity to water. The normal variety are quite easy to spot, but the mutated 'ultra' transparent variety are fewer in number and therefore, more difficult to locate.
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Anyone who is thinking of tracking one down, should first,
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(click on the link to listen) then,
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because there is a subtle difference between the two of them.
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Once you are familiar with the frog's mating call, if there are any of the transparent variety close-by, you should quite easily be able recognise them by it and locate and catch one.
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They look and feel quite 'slimey', but nevertheless, they are quite easy to catch and handle, but they shouldn't be handled continuously for long periods of time in excess of a few minutes. Handle with caution and wash your hands immediately after with a suitable disinfectant.
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They should be kept in a dry oxygenated container, containing a shallow vessel of water and fed regularly with flies and insects.
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