"H. yaku" or "Hyalinobatrachium yaku" is a frog that scientists have recently recognized as a new species. The frog which inhabits the Amazon lowlands of Ecuador was declared a distinct species on the 12th of May by an international team of researchers. A report published in ZooKeys stated that the conclusion was drawn because of its uniqueness based on DNA analysis, morphology, and vocalizations compared to other specimens of the same genus.

Transparent

In addition to being a newly discovered species in the frog family, H yaku is not just an average frog; it is a glass frog.

Glass frogs sport transparent skins that reveal their Internal Organs. However, researchers found H. yaku’s skin so transparent that you can actually watch its heart beat. It’s skin clarity also allows the observation of other internal organs like the kidneys and urine bladder.

H. yaku enjoys other striking features as well. A smaller middorsal, dark green spots on its head and dorsum are prominent distinctions compared to similar frogs.

Other glass creatures

Glass frogs have been known to the world for some time and H yaku is not the first of its kind. Various other transparent organisms exist all over the sea and land. The qualities of most of these are so unique, like H yaku’s bare-Beating Heart, that they can leave onlookers hooked.

There is the Crocodile Icefish which is the only vertebrate discovered without hemoglobin in its blood. The Sea Salp is an organism that exists both as an individual and as part of a larger organism. The Jelly Fish gives off the most beautiful hues and the Big Skate, a sting fish boasts a human-like face. There is also the Barton Springs Salamander that is lung-less to name a few of the many organisms that have see-through skins.

A rival

The H. Yaku has an original rival for transparency. The Asian Glass Catfish has so far been dubbed to be the most transparent vertebrate. Like our H. Yaku, it’s heart can be seen beating. However, due to its tiny size, a magnifying glass is required to see it. This fish found mostly in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia may now lose its title as H yaku seems to have a clearer skin.

Further research may reveal more details about the frog. However, what researchers have already discovered is the endangerment of this new species. The prime cause of endangerment seems to be pollution, oil extraction, and mining activities that are common in the Ecuador region. Steps need to be taken to protect such a beautiful occurrence of nature in every possible manner.