Golden rocket frogs in the spotlight!

Our recent collaborative paper led by Dr. Chloé Fouilloux and co-authored by Dr. James Tumulty and yours truly (Johana Goyes Vallejos) on the golden rocket frog (Anomaloglossus beebei) was recently featured in Phys.org and the cultural commentary site Defector.

This study investigated reproductive resource defense in these striking little frogs, showing that males don't just compete for mates; they actively guard access to the key resource that females need to reproduce: tadpole-rearing sites. This dual role of mate attraction and parental investment sheds light on the complexity of mating behavior in animals, especially in species where care doesn't stop at fertilization.

The Phys.org article highlights the broader ecological and evolutionary implications of our findings, while the Defector piece (titled "As A Father Of Tadpoles") brings a witty, heartfelt look at frog parenting into the cultural mainstream. It’s always rewarding to see science reach across audiences, from academic press to a platform known for its irreverent and thoughtful takes on everything from sports to animal behavior.

This collaboration was a joy to be part of, and I’m thrilled that our work is getting noticed both in scientific circles and in spaces that make science fun, weird, and accessible.

October 2023