description Gastric-brooding Frog Overview
The gastric-brooding frogs were a genus (Rheobatrachus) of extinct aquatic amphibians native to Queensland, Australia. They are most notable for their unique reproductive mechanism, in which the female would swallow her fertilized eggs and brood them in her stomach by suppressing the secretion of gastric acids. The southern gastric-brooding frog (Rheobatrachus silus) was discovered in 1973, but both known species in the genus were declared extinct by the mid-1980s.
help Gastric-brooding Frog FAQ
What unique reproductive trait made the gastric-brooding frog famous?
The gastric-brooding frog (genus Rheobatrachus) was entirely unique because the female would swallow her fertilized eggs and brood them in her stomach. She suppressed her digestive acids until she eventually gave "birth" to fully formed froglets through her mouth.
Are there any gastric-brooding frogs still alive today?
No, both species of the gastric-brooding frog are entirely extinct, having vanished in the 1980s. Their sudden disappearance is largely attributed to the chytrid fungus, which has devastated amphibian populations globally.
Where was the native habitat of the gastric-brooding frog?
Before their extinction, these unique aquatic frogs were native to the rainforests and creeks of Queensland, Australia. They were specifically found in isolated populations within the eastern Australian mountain ranges.
Have scientists ever tried to clone the extinct gastric-brooding frog?
Yes, in 2013, scientists in Australia famously announced the "Lazarus Project," an attempt to clone the extinct frog using somatic cell nuclear transfer. While they successfully produced an embryo, it did not survive to adulthood.
explore Explore More
Similar to Gastric-brooding Frog
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
