In many amphibian species, mothers provide their offspring with a nutrient-rich egg capsule before leaving them to fend for themselves. Recently, scientists have discovered the most nurturing amphibian species in the world: one that allows its young to feed on its skin.
The mother of the Bolengerula taitanus species transforms her skin into a nutritious meal for her developing offspring. The young tadpoles crawl all over their mother’s body, peeling off the outer layer of her skin with a special tooth.
Scientists report that this form of feeding does not hurt the mother at all, unless the “children” become overly aggressive. It is similar to how mammals nurse their young and serves as a better preparation for them to enter the world.
During the first week, the young tadpoles increased in body length by approximately 11%, and by the time they became independent, they were about the size of a small adult. However, this special meal also takes a toll on the mother, who loses 14% of her weight by the end of the first week.
Researchers believe there are several benefits to this caregiving style. The mother saves energy compared to producing an egg pouch. She also has more flexibility in delaying food provision or not providing any at all if environmental conditions are unfavorable.
The research was conducted by Mark Wilkinson from the Natural History Museum in London.
T. An
