https://www.science.org/content/article/brazilian-frog-might-be-first-pollinating-amphibian-known-science Advertisement * * news * careers * commentary * Journals * Covid-19 Science Science * * * Log in * Become A Member [science] science [sciadv] science advances [sciimmunol] science immunology [scirobotics] science robotics [signaling] science signaling [stm] science translational medicine [spj-cover-1672180580773] science partner journals Quick Search anywhere Enter Search Term[ ] Quick Search in Journals Enter Search Term[ ] Quick Search in Journals Enter Search Term[ ] Quick Search in Journals Enter Search Term[ ] Quick Search in Journals Enter Search Term[ ] Quick Search in Journals Enter Search Term[ ] Quick Search in Journals Enter Search Term[ ] Searching: Anywhere AnywhereScienceScience AdvancesScience ImmunologyScience Robotics Science SignalingScience Translational Medicine Advanced Search Search Trending Terms: * covid-19 * climate * monkeypox * abortion * perovskite Log In Become A Member Quick Search anywhere Enter Search Term[ ] science.org * Custom publishing * collections * videos * podcasts * blogs * visualizations * prizes and awards * authors & reviewers * librarians * advertisers * about * help * * * * * * AAAS Logo * Terms of Service * Privacy Policy * Accessibility * News Home * All News * ScienceInsider * News Features GET OUR E-ALERTS HomeNewsScienceShotsThis Brazilian frog might be the first pollinating amphibian known to science Back To ScienceShots * ScienceShots * Plants & Animals This Brazilian frog might be the first pollinating amphibian known to science Nectar-loving tree frog likely moves pollen from flower to flower * 1 May 2023 * 1:15 PM * ByAnnie Roth Izecksohn's Brazilian tree frog, in the flower of a Brazilian milk fruit Carlos Henrique de-Oliveira-Nogueira Share: * Twitter * Linked In * Facebook * Reddit * Wechat * Email The creamy fruit and nectar-rich flowers of the milk fruit tree are irresistible to Xenohyla truncata, a tree frog native to Brazil. On warm nights, the dusky-colored frogs take to the trees en masse, jostling one another for a chance to nibble the fruit and slurp the nectar. In the process, the frogs become covered in sticky pollen grains--and might inadvertently pollinate the plants, too. It's the first time a frog--or any amphibian--has been observed pollinating a plant, researchers reported last month in Food Webs. Scientists long thought only insects and birds served as pollinators, but research has revealed that some reptiles and mammals are more than up to the task. Now, scientists must consider whether amphibians are also capable of getting the job done. It's likely that the nectar-loving frogs, also known as Izecksohn's Brazilian tree frogs, are transferring pollen as they move from flower to flower, the authors say. But more research is needed, they add, to confirm that frogs have joined the planet's pantheon of pollinators. --------------------------------------------------------------------- doi: 10.1126/science.adi5190 Relevant tags: Plants & Animals About the author Annie Roth Annie Roth Twitter Author Annie Roth is a freelance science journalist based in Santa Cruz, California. She enjoys writing stories about animals and the people who study them. --------------------------------------------------------------------- More from news A deer-tooth pendant held in a hand 3 May 2023 Who wore this ancient deer pendant? DNA reveals a Stone Age woman with surprising origins By * Ann Gibbons Artist impression of a star devouring one of its planets 3 May 2023 A dying star consumes a planet, foreshadowing Earth's fate By * Daniel Clery a dog outside Samoylov station 3 May 2023 'We are cut off.' 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