Editing Fluorescence (section)

==== Amphibians ====
[[File:Hypsiboas punctatus fluorescente.jpg|thumb|Fluorescent [[polka-dot tree frog]] under UV-light]]

Fluorescence is widespread among [[amphibian]]s and has been documented in several families of [[frog]]s, [[salamander]]s and [[caecilian]]s, but the extent of it varies greatly.<ref name=Lamb2020>{{cite journal | author1=Lamb, J.Y. | author2=M.P. Davis | year=2020 | title=Salamanders and other amphibians are aglow with biofluorescence | journal=Scientific Reports | volume=10 | issue=1 | page=2821 | doi=10.1038/s41598-020-59528-9 | pmid=32108141 | pmc=7046780 | bibcode=2020NatSR..10.2821L }}</ref>

The [[polka-dot tree frog]] (''Hypsiboas punctatus''), widely found in South America, was unintentionally discovered to be the first fluorescent amphibian in 2017. The fluorescence was traced to a new compound found in the [[lymph]] and skin glands.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wong |first=Sam |date=13 March 2017 |title=Luminous frog is the first known naturally fluorescent amphibian |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2124466-luminous-frog-is-the-first-known-naturally-fluorescent-amphibian/ |access-date=2017-03-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320143233/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2124466-luminous-frog-is-the-first-known-naturally-fluorescent-amphibian/ |archive-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> The main fluorescent compound is Hyloin-L1 and it gives a blue-green glow when exposed to violet or [[ultraviolet light]]. The scientists behind the discovery suggested that the fluorescence can be used for communication. They speculated that fluorescence possibly is relatively widespread among frogs.<ref>{{cite news |last=King |first=Anthony |date=13 March 2017 |title=Fluorescent frog first down to new molecule |url=https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/fluorescent-frog-first-down-to-new-molecule-/2500541.article |access-date=2017-03-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322191916/https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/fluorescent-frog-first-down-to-new-molecule-/2500541.article |archive-date=22 March 2017}}</ref> Only a few months later, fluorescence was discovered in the closely related ''[[Hypsiboas atlanticus]]''. Because it is linked to secretions from skin glands, they can also leave fluorescent markings on surfaces where they have been.<ref name=Taboada2017>{{cite journal | author1=Taboada, C. | author2=A.E. Brunetti | author3=C. Alexandre | author4=M.G. Lagorio | author5=J. Faivovich | year=2017 | title=Fluorescent Frogs: A Herpetological Perspective | journal=South American Journal of Herpetology | volume=12 | issue=1 | pages=1–13 | doi=10.2994/SAJH-D-17-00029.1 | s2cid=89815080 | hdl=11336/48638 | hdl-access=free }}</ref>

In 2019, two other frogs, the tiny [[pumpkin toadlet]] (''Brachycephalus ephippium'') and [[red pumpkin toadlet]] (''B. pitanga'') of southeastern Brazil, were found to have naturally fluorescent skeletons, which are visible through their skin when exposed to ultraviolet light.<ref name=Goutte2019>{{cite journal | author1=Sandra Goutte | author2=Matthew J. Mason | author3=Marta M. Antoniazzi | author4=Carlos Jared | author5=Didier Merle | author6=Lilian Cazes | author7=Luís Felipe Toledo | author8=Hanane el-Hafci | author9=Stéphane Pallu | author10=Hugues Portier | author11=Stefan Schramm | author12=Pierre Gueriau | author13=Mathieu Thoury | year=2019 | title=Intense bone fluorescence reveals hidden patterns in pumpkin toadlets | journal=Scientific Reports | volume=9 | issue=1 | page=5388 | doi=10.1038/s41598-019-41959-8 | pmid=30926879 | pmc=6441030 | bibcode=2019NatSR...9.5388G }}</ref><ref name=Fox2019>{{cite web | author=Fox, A. | title=Scientists discover a frog with glowing bones | url=https://www.science.org/content/article/scientists-discover-frog-glowing-bones | date=2 April 2019 | website=ScienceMag | access-date=9 February 2020 | archive-date=8 March 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308114612/https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/04/scientists-discover-frog-glowing-bones | url-status=live }}</ref> It was initially speculated that the fluorescence supplemented their already [[aposematic]] colours (they are toxic) or that it was related to [[mate choice]] ([[species recognition]] or determining fitness of a potential partner),<ref name=Goutte2019/> but later studies indicate that the former explanation is unlikely, as predation attempts on the toadlets appear to be unaffected by the presence/absence of fluorescence.<ref name=Reboucas2019>{{cite journal | author1=Rebouças, R. | author2=A.B. Carollo | author3=M.d.O. Freitas | author4=C. Lambertini | author5=R.M. Nogueira dos Santos | author6=L.F. Toledo | year=2019 | title=  Conservation Status of Brachycephalus Toadlets (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest| journal= Diversity| volume=55 | issue=1 | pages=39–47 | doi=10.3390/d11090150 | doi-access=free | bibcode=2019Diver..11..150B }}</ref>

In 2020 it was confirmed that green or yellow fluorescence is widespread not only in adult frogs that are exposed to blue or ultraviolet light, but also among [[tadpole]]s, salamanders and caecilians. The extent varies greatly depending on species; in some it is highly distinct and in others it is barely noticeable. It can be based on their skin pigmentation, their mucus or their bones.<ref name=Lamb2020/>