post Eating with your eyes: Why frogs use their vision to swallow It first appeared arizona state animal.

quick take

• As frogs evolved, they developed a globis retractor muscle behind their eyes.

• Because there is no bony structure between the eye and the esophagus (food pipe), this muscle is able to pull the eye into the orbit.

• The frog retracts its eyes and pushes the food down its esophagus.

• One or both eyes can be retracted.

Frog eyes are distinctive, unique, and attractive. They are huge, spherical and located on the head. We know that frogs have excellent eyesight, and thanks to the placement of their eyes, frogs have excellent peripheral vision. But this is only part of the story. Scientists have discovered that frogs can even use their eyes to swallow. Here’s what a study of northern people’s eating habits revealed. leopard frog.

Diet and behavior of the northern leopard frog

Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) found in wetlands, scrublands, and forests throughout much of North America. They prefer to live in persistent, slow-flowing areas, but can also be found in farmlands and golf courses. When not breeding, they are often found far from water.

They forage for food during the day and are carnivores. Therefore, you need to be able to swallow spiders. insectinsect larvae, snails, slugEarthworm. Large adult frogs may also swallow smaller frogs. Their eyes are useful for this purpose.

evolution of frog eyes

The animals we now call amphibians probably evolved during the late Devonian period, about 375 million years ago. Although vertebrates emerged from water to breathe air, they still relied on aquatic habitats for reproduction. Their eyes have also changed in many ways.

Frogs lost their range of color vision, but their ability to detect movement was enhanced. More interestingly, they developed a globis retractor muscle behind their eyes. Because there is no bony structure between the eye and the esophagus (food pipe), this muscle is able to pull the eye into the orbit.

Eating techniques using the power of your eyes

It is a well-known fact that many frogs and toads repeatedly close or retract their eyes during swallowing (swallowing). Scientists speculated that they may have done this to push food back into their esophagus, but that was never proven. So, researchers conducted a study To demonstrate how eye retraction helps in swallowing in northern leopard frogs.

A simple observation of cricket-eating frogs reveals that there is wide variation in the degree to which their eyes retract. Frogs can withdraw one or both eyes, which can occur simultaneously with swallowing or as a separate movement. When retracted, the eyes are drawn deep into the oropharynx (the area at the back of the mouth) and actually make contact with the food. This contact forces food towards the esophagus and also helps to keep the tongue in place. Studies of the electrical signals of the ocular retractor muscles have confirmed that the ocular retractor muscles contract when the eyeball retracts. If the action of the bulbar muscles is blocked, the frog can still swallow, but it takes more swallows to move the food into the esophagus. The scientists concluded that retracting the eyes facilitates swallowing in frogs, but is not necessary.

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