Characterisation of a skin secretion with adhesive properties in the ground frog Eupsophus vertebralis (Alsodidae)
Open Access
- 24 August 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Pensoft Publishers in Herpetozoa
- Vol. 34, 169-173
- https://doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e68576
Abstract
Some skin secretions with adhesive properties allow frogs to distract predators and escape; their nature is poorly studied. Here, we report the sticky skin secretion released by the Patagonian frog Eupsophus vertebralis when stressed. This secretion contained ~ 50% proteins spanning 25–250 kDa and required a fast setting time to turn into strong adhesive, which worked well on synthetic and biological materials. Lap-shear assays with Eupsophus glue secretion showed average shear strength of 3.34 MPa, comparable to cyanoacrylate (5.47 MPa). These properties suggest its biotechnological value for practical applications in industrial and medical sectors.Keywords
Funding Information
- Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico, Tecnológico y de Innovación Tecnológica
This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit:
- Frog glue enhances rotator cuff repair in a laboratory cadaveric modelJournal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2009
- Biocompatibility and modification of the protein‐based adhesive secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennettiJournal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2009
- Ultrastructure and Histochemistry of the Adhesive Breeding Glands in Male Gastrophryne carolinensis (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae)Ichthyology & Herpetology, 2008
- Meniscal Repair With a New Biological GlueTechniques in Knee Surgery, 2008
- When Dinner Is Dangerous: Toxic Frogs Elicit Species‐Specific Responses from a Generalist Snake PredatorThe American Naturalist, 2007
- Characterization of a Protein-based Adhesive Elastomer Secreted by the Australian Frog Notaden bennettiBiomacromolecules, 2005
- Characterization of the Adhesive from Cuvierian Tubules of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria forskali (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea)Marine Biotechnology, 2003
- Adhesive Strength of Amphibian Skin SecretionsJournal of Herpetology, 1994
- Immunological relationships of the South American frog genus Eupsophus (Leptodactylidae)Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 1992
- Further classification of skin alkaloids from neotropical poison frogs (dendrobatidae), with a general survey of toxic/noxious substances in the amphibiaToxicon, 1987