I really
enjoy winter time. It’s not my favourite season but I usually prefer winter
over summer. The main reason for this is because I feel like I can do more do
keep myself warm than I can do keep myself warm. When it’s really cold I can
add more and more layers and curl up under blankets to stay warm. However, when
it’s hot I try to wear as little clothing as possible. Unlike my method, the
African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus)
has a different approach to staying cool that involves forming a cocoon with
many layers.
The
African Bullfrog lives in desert areas and will form a cocoon to hibernate in
to reduce water loss. The cocoon is made from the epidermal cell layers that
the frog will shed. In six weeks 26 cocoon layers can accumulate around the frog.
When the frog emerges it consume the cocoon (Withers, 1995). Before initiating
the formation of the cocoon the African bullfrog will remain dormant for 20-30
days. The cocoon has been proven to beneficial early in its development. The
rate of water lost by the frog inside the cocoon quickly declines and each cocoon
layer increases resistance to evaporation (McClanahan et al., 1983).
The
formation of this cocoon is a response caused by dehydration stress. By forming
these cocoons the frog is able to survive long periods of seasonal desiccation
while they are buried underground (Loveridge & Withers, 1981). Many other
desert-dwelling frogs have similar formations of cocoons to survive harsh
conditions (Lee & Mercer, 1967). Because a similar adaptation can be found
in other species it is likely that convergent evolution occurred because of
similar environmental conditions.
Here's a video of the African Bullfrog helping its tadpoles survive during dry periods:
References:
Lee, AK
& Mercer, EH 1967, ‘Cocoon surrounding desert-dwelling frogs’, Science, vol. 157, no. 3784, pp. 87-88, doi:10.1126/science.157.3784.87.
Loveridge, JP &
Withers, PC 1981, ‘Metabolism and water balance of active and cocooned African bullfrogs
Pyxicepalus adspersus’, Physiological Zoology, vol. 54, no. 2,
pp. 203-214, <http://www.jstor.org/stable/30155821>.
McClanahan, LL, Ruibal, R & Shoemaker, VH 1983, ‘Rate of
cocoon formation and its physiological correlates in a Ceratophryd frog’, Physiological
Zoology, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 430-435, <http://www.jstor.org/stable/30152608>.
Withers, PC 1995, ‘Cocoon formation and structure in the
estivating Australian desert frogs, Neobatrachus
and Cyclorana’, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 43,
no. 5, pp. 429-441, doi:10.1071/ZO9950429.