The Ecological Roles of Poison Frogs

The production of noxious and/or cyanogenic alkaloids from the skin glands of cyanogenicantous substance batrachians has resulted in distinct ecological relationships that may prove to be an ideal example for certain complex biological interactions tightlipped the world. The distribution of embitterous substance frogs is limited to mainly the tropic habitats of of import and South America. There atomic number 18 over 221 species of embitter frogs in the Family Dendrobatidae, in which the three genera Epipedobates, Phylobates, and Dendrobates contain the most toxic and visually brilliant species. The vertical niche range of the embitter frogs occurs between ground level to about 10 feet heights on trees (Darst et al. 2004). Recent suspenses surrounding the ecology of poison frogs are found on the production of the toxin, the role that it plays for the frog, and the effects that it has on frog predators. Research has indicated that poison frogs obtain the majority of their toxic alkaloids from dietetic sources rather than biosynthesizing the chemicals. The current struggle in this sphere of influence is identifying the involve dietary sources for which the poison frogs obtain alkaloids (Saporito et al. 2007). With frog populations dissipating cosmopolitan due(p) to the deadly chytrid fungus, there is increasing pressure to find a natural solution to this problem.

Scientists have reason to believe that the poison frogs toxin could provide help in finding a reanimate to this fast spreading, deadly fungus (Macfoy et al. 2005). Along with providing answers to mass frog extincti ons, the take-off relationships among pois! on frogs and non-toxic species may prove to be an ideal model for other ecological interactions (Darst & Cummings 2006). In order to in full understand the ecological and evolutionary complexity of the poison frog chemical defense system, Saporito et al. (2007) foc utilize on respond the question of what the major dietary source is for alkaloids in poison frogs. The researchers used Oophaga pumilio as a model species because they share many of the same...If you necessity to get a full essay, order it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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