Issue date: 7/28/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Sean Roberts Richard Essner holds one of the frogs used in researching that some primitive frogs learn to jump before they learn how to land. Essner has received international recognition for his study.

Media Credit: Sean Roberts

Richard Essner, assistant professor in the Biological Sciences department, published a research paper that is now receiving international recognition. His research is about frogs being able to jump before they could land.

"People have suggested that swimming and jumping are similar behavior," Essner said.

Essner traveled to the Pacific Northwest to find sample species for his research. He said that was one of the particular areas where some of the most primitive groups of frogs are found.

Essner brought the frogs back and filmed and studied them. He said there are thousands of species of modern frogs and about six primitive species tied to water.

"They launch the same but they land differently," Essner said. "Basically they just do a big belly flop when they land."

Typical frogs like the ones you may see in your garden have a more elegant landing, according to Essner.

"Actually, it's a two step process," Essner said. "The jumping came first and the landing came later."

Graduate student Daniel Suffian assisted Essner with his research. They filmed and took 250 pictures per second so they could better study the frogs.

Suffian said determining the locomotion of the frogs is important as well as the biomechanics of animals. This can help researchers understand how they get away from predators and find food.

"Before frogs learned to jump, they moved in a pretty inefficient way," Suffian said.

Suffian said frogs are one of the most successfully evolved amphibians.

"They look so stupid when they land. They just belly flop." Suffian said. "It's a valid and important evolutionary story."

Biological Sciences Chair Paul Brunkow said Essner's research is good for the university because it will help get SIUE's name publicized, especially since the research is gaining international attention.

Other faculty members will mention the research to their students, which could help with getting students interested in SIUE.

Brunkow said the interest in the research may help get Essner more grant money or collaborative work with other researchers. People will know who they can contact when they have questions or interests about this type of research.

"It's really cool," Brunkow said. "When you boil it down, it's a really basic observation that people never really thought about."

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