FILE PHOTO OF DEFORMED TREE FROG SPECIMEN.
UNDATED FILE PHOTO - A deformed Pacific Treefrog, Hyla regilla, found near Portland, Oregon in 1997, is one of many deformed frogs that have been discovered around the world. A common chemical derived from vitamin A and key to the development of all animals, from fish to humans, may be causing gross deformities in frogs, biologists said August 5. This specimen is loaded with trematode cysts, shown as tiny black dots, in and around the base of the deformed doubled left hind leg, but are absent from the right hind limb. This specimen was preserved and then the tissues were treated with an enzyme that makes them transparent, then the bones are stained red and the cartilage (joints) are stained blue.
RC/HB/AA