The bones of the tree-cavity toad-leaf frog are turquoise-blue. With our help, a research team is studying how they are structured and how they benefit the frog.
The tree-cavity toad-leaf frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) has extraordinary bones: they are turquoise blue. As part of a study titled “Blue frog bones: a mechano-structural design not yet resolved,” researchers at Empa, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), and EPFL are investigating the nanostructure of the bones and how it affects their mechanical properties. The tree-cavity toad-leaved frog is an exceptionally good jumper.
The Zurich Zoo supports the project by providing researchers with tree-cavity toads that have died of natural causes.
An Insight Into the Project
Video: Zurich Zoo, Nicole Schnyder, ARTORG Center
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