Credit: Courtesy K S Seshadri

Professor Maria Thaker (Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore), a former fellow of the IIAS and part of the "Health and the Environment: A Unifying Framework from Individual Stress to Ecosystem Functioning" research group, delved into the intriguing world of frog iris patterns to uncover potential ecological significance.

Collaborating with colleagues K S Seshadri and S Gangothri, Thaker conducted a comprehensive study examining iris patterns in 960 frog species across 47 families. The researchers categorized iris patterns into various types, including reticulated, plain, dotted, and lined. Notably, they found reticulated patterns to be the most prevalent among the studied species.
Surprisingly, the study revealed a weak correlation between plain irises and diurnal activity, hinting at a potential evolutionary transition from reticulated to plain irises alongside a shift from nocturnal to diurnal behaviour.

Thaker emphasized the mesmerizing diversity of frog eyes and underscored the ecological and evolutionary significance of their research. While the exact function of iris patterns remains uncertain, the researchers propose that these patterns may serve as signals for social interactions among frogs and potentially play a role in anti-predator defence.

For further details, refer to the full article: https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/eye-for-detail-frog-iris-patterns-...