Costa Rican tree frog faces global warming threat: 20-11-2007
Sun-loving tree frogs from South America could be in decline as a result of climate change, according to scientists.
Researchers from Manchester University and the Manchester Museum are using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to look at the properties of tree frog skin to establish whether environmental changes are harming numbers of the amphibians.
Enjoying the heat of the sun from leaves and branches high above the ground, the tree frogs from Costa Rica prefer have prolonged periods of exposure to the sun, meaning they could become dehydrated or overheat.
Tree frogs are expected to be able to take the heat by regulating their body temperature through their skin but due to increases in cloud cover from global warming, the frogs cannot kill off fungal infections like normal.
Andrew Gray, curator of herpetology at the Manchester Museum said the research was vital to the future of the amphibians and the frogs were not harmed in any way.
Holidaymakers travelling to Costa Rica can visit some of the world's best reserves and rainforests that cover over 25 per cent of the country.
Several national parks give visitors a chance to see some of the wildlife in the area with the
Corcovado National Park well-known for its biodiversity.
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