Devolved Frog

Primative, remote, with moist skin? No, we're not talking about me. We're talking about a frog that has been found in the backwaters of Borneo. But not just any frog. This frog has abandoned its lungs in favor of absorbing oxygen through its skin.

Lunglessness is rare in the tetrapod world. It's only found among amphibians and chain smokers. Only two families of salamanders and a single species of caecilian are so un-endowed. Scientists are hoping that Barbourula kalimantanensis will assist them in better understanding the development of lungs.

I, myself, am not too impressed with this instance of lunglessness. I've developed the same trait, albeit through atrophy. Besides, I don't trust an animal that thinks it's too good for fundamental body parts.

Thanks for the article, Mickey, Jade, and Ida.

Photo source: REUTERS/David Bickford/National University of Singapore/Handout via Yahoo!