Why The Paradoxical Frog Species Shrinks In Height As It Grows Older

We live on a planet inhabited by organisms from diverse environmental conditions. There are several such creatures with unique qualities. One of them is a frog species, Pseudis paradoxa – they are also known as the Paradoxical Frog. What makes this species more odd is the fact that it is notably larger in the larval stage than in the adult stage and gets even smaller as it grows. According to a report published in Live Science, the Paradoxical frog’s substantial tadpole is three to four times larger than an adult. It measures up to 9 inches (22 centimetres). On the other hand, an adult measures up to 3 inches (8 cm) long. Due to this feature, it is also known as the Shrinking frog. The scientific name of this species is known as Pseudis Paradoxa.

A study was published by The Herpetological Journal, the British Herpetological Society’s scientific journal regarding these frogs. The study reported that the growth rate of tadpoles is similar to that of other species. The Paradoxical Frogs, however, continue to grow and develop. During the process of metamorphosis, these tadpoles shrink into frogs that are only a quarter to a third of their original length.

According to an article published in the Encyclopedia of Life, the Paradoxical Frog’s tadpoles feed mostly on algae. The adult frogs remain active both day and night and are always in or near water. They eat insects (such as flies, beetles, true bugs, plant suckers, butterflies, moths, and dragonflies). These frogs also eat other creatures like invertebrates (such as crabs), and small frogs.

In March 2008, scientists working from the Universities of Ulster, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates released findings of a study on Pseudin 2 – which is a skin compound that protects the paradoxical frog from infection. The study found that a synthetic version of this compound was able to stimulate the secretion of insulin in pancreatic cells under laboratory conditions. This version didn’t release toxicity in the cells. As such, this synthetic medicine could be used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.