25 million year old frog

[Parlez]

MEXICO CITY - A miner in the state of Chiapas found a tiny tree frog that has been preserved in amber for 25 million years, a researcher said. If authenticated, the preserved frog would be the first of its kind found in Mexico, according to David Grimaldi, a biologist and curator at the American Museum of Natural History, who was not involved in the find.
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The chunk of amber containing the frog, less than half an inch long, was uncovered by a miner in Mexico's southern Chiapas state in 2005 and was bought by a private collector, who lent it to scientists for study.

A few other preserved frogs have been found in chunks of amber ? a stone formed by ancient tree sap ? mostly in the Dominican Republic. Like those, the frog found in Chiapas appears to be of the genus Craugastor, whose descendants still inhabit the region, said biologist Gerardo Carbot of the Chiapas Natural History and Ecology Institute. Carbot announced the discovery this week.

The scientist said the frog lived about 25 million years ago, based on the geological strata where the amber was found.

Carbot would like to extract a sample from the frog's remains in hopes of finding DNA that could identify the particular species, but doubts the owner would let him drill into the stone. "I don't think he will allow it, because it's a very rare, unique piece," said Carbot.

Grimaldi of the American Museum of Natural History called the idea of extracting DNA "highly, highly unlikely," given that ? as other scientists have noted ? genetic material tends to break down over time.

But George O. Poinar, an entomologist at Oregon State University who founded the Amber Institute, said extracting DNA is theoretically possible.

"If it's well-preserved ... and none of the frog has been exposed to the outside, where air could enter in and oxidize the DNA, it could be possible to get DNA.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070217/ap_on_sc/mexico_frog_in_amber

Comments anyone?

 

[Rapstah]

ALIVE?

Oh, snap. It wasn't.

 

[bbson john]

ALIVE?

Oh, snap. It wasn't.

The frog is preserved. I think we can get it moving again by some electrical shock.

 

[<RJMC>]

frogs hav existed before the dinosaurs I think

 

[The Monkey]

This is a lie, make up by confused atheists. The earth was created by God Almighty 6000 years ago. Anyone who thinks things existed 25 millions years ago have committed the greatest sin of them all, that of doubt. May God have mercy on their soul. I will pray tonight that they find the only right and true path.

 

[theotherguy]

frogs hav existed before the dinosaurs I think

Yep. Frog-like amphibians appeared before the great reptiles did.

 

[bbson john]

This is a lie, make up by confused atheists. The earth was created by God Almighty 6000 years ago. Anyone who thinks things existed 25 millions years ago have committed the greatest sin of them all, that of doubt. May God have mercy on their soul. I will pray tonight that they find the only right and true path.

Ye people sinned greatly. May the Lord Almighty be merciful of your souls.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

This is a lie, make up by confused atheists. The earth was created by God Almighty 6000 years ago. Anyone who thinks things existed 25 millions years ago have committed the greatest sin of them all, that of doubt. May God have mercy on their soul. I will pray tonight that they find the only right and true path.

Ye people sinned greatly. May the Lord Almighty be merciful of your souls.

'truth

 

[Seppo]

that frog wouldn't taste good

 

[CyberPitz]

Ye people sinned greatly. May the Lord Almighty be merciful of your souls.

GOD DAMN IT!

 

[NeptuneUK]

GOD DAMN IT!

God is damning YOU!

 

[AJ Rimmer]

The frog is preserved. I think we can get it moving again by some electrical shock.

I bet when we do it'll start singing "Hello my baby, hello my honey!"

 

[NeptuneUK]

I bet when we do it'll start singing "Hello my baby, hello my honey!"

:cheers:

 

[Adabiviak]

I bet when we do it'll start singing "Hello my baby, hello my honey!"

HA ha!! The scientist will then try to make a buck off the singing frog, who will suddenly go silent on the stage.

 

[The Monkey]

that frog wouldn't taste good

Not if you aren't French :O

 

[Parlez]

HA ha!! The scientist will then try to make a buck off the singing frog, who will suddenly go silent on the stage.

lol... that would be my luck:hmph:

 

[Geogaddi]

Jurassic Park anyone?

 

[W4E]

i bet it likes to tell old war stories

 

[highlander]

I for one Welcome our new Reptilian Overlords

 

[Parlez]

I for one Welcome our new Reptilian Overlords

He could be a alien and start zapping people with a little ray thing and then reproduce and take over the world! :O

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

He could be a alien and start zapping people with a little ray thing and then reproduce and take over the world! :O

Before seeing a human baby and exploding for no apprerent reason.

 

[Kula Meenur]

This is a lie, make up by confused atheists. The earth was created by God Almighty 6000 years ago. Anyone who thinks things existed 25 millions years ago have committed the greatest sin of them all, that of doubt. May God have mercy on their soul. I will pray tonight that they find the only right and true path.

wait... you're joking right?