科學圖說

在地上的水晶球-臺灣特有種面天樹蛙
(Nature’s Crystal Balls-Temple Tree Frog Eggs)

樹蛙的卵只會產在水中或者是在樹上的卵泡嗎？臺灣特有種面天樹蛙的卵產在地上，像是灑滿地上的粉圓。兩棲類無尾目的發育，有一個非常特殊的時期－外鰓期。本組照片呈現平時我們不會注意到的面天樹蛙蝌蚪成長過程中的外鰓期之美。

Do tree frogs lay their eggs only in the water or in foam on trees? The eggs of the temple tree frog (Kurixalus idiootocus), which is endemic to Taiwan, resemble tapioca balls. They are laid on the ground. Anuran tadpoles have a stage in their development during which external gills form. This set of images presents the beauty of external gills in larval temple tree frog tadpoles, which may not normally be seen or given much attention.