Slashdot Mirror


Possible 25 Million Year Old Frog Found

dispatch writes "A small frog, found preserved in amber, has been found by researchers in Mexico City. The frog, according to the scientists, may be some 25 million years old! According to the article: 'The chunk of amber containing the 0.4-inch frog was uncovered by a miner in southern Chiapas states in 2005 and was bought by a private collector, who lent it to scientists for study.' Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as though the scientists will be allowed to drill into the rock, at the owner's request."

151 comments

  1. Huh! by Vinegar+Joe · · Score: 5, Funny

    The owner sounds like a real toad.

    --
    "The average reporter we talk to is 27 years old......They literally know nothing." - Ben Rhodes
    1. Re:Huh! by A+beautiful+mind · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      --
      It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
      Be yourself no matter what they say
    2. Re:Huh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      He must be amberrassed.

    3. Re:Huh! by SeaFox · · Score: 4, Funny

      The owner sounds like a real toad.

      The scientists were baffled at the man's insistence they not drill into the amber but where allowed to make a quick sketch of the prehistoric amphibian.
    4. Re:Huh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That analogy was like a diagonal frog, you insensitive clod!

    5. Re:Huh! by Gabrill · · Score: 2, Funny

      Doesn't he ponder the age-old question: Is the frogs ass watertight?

      --
      Always going forward, 'cause we can't find reverse.
    6. Re:Huh! by Cally · · Score: 3, Funny

      Now the field is full of researchers all claiming to be the first to find it... they croak at each other, "crrrrredit! crrrredit!"

      --
      "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." -- Goethe
    7. Re:Huh! by mshurpik · · Score: 1

      They should inject this frog DNA into a dinosaur and start a theme park.

    8. Re:Huh! by RMB2 · · Score: 1

      This show's been going downhill since season 3

      --
      [/sarcasm]
    9. Re:Huh! by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      The owner sounds like a real toad.

      Being serious for a second, since this is (thus far) a unique find, it's not unreasonable to be extraordinarily cautious (as in "beyond ordinarily cautious") about investigations. Unless someone has a stunningly urgent reason to think that there's something wonderful in there, it's as well to leave it sealed until there's some specific project which would require information from the amphibian. Anything in there (in the way of genetic material, etc) has survived many millions of years already in there ; another few decades is unlikely to hurt. Just keep it in a cool room or even in the fridge.
      Of course, once there's a second amphibian of comparable age, many of these constraints evaporate. But frankly, having looked at quite a number of amber specimens myself, I doubt that it's an absolute beauty of lump.
      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  2. What if... by cp.tar · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... the hole they drill enables the owner to put it on a chain and carry around his neck?

    --
    Ignore this signature. By order.
    1. Re:What if... by olof_the_viking · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ... it turns out he made it himself and don't want anyone to know it? Faking amber with animals in it is about the third oldest scam in the book.

    2. Re:What if... by blankoboy · · Score: 1

      I am covered in milk ejected from my own nostrils! Thanks for that...made my day!

  3. A frog's no good anyway by Rik+Sweeney · · Score: 4, Funny

    Everyone knows you need a mosquito to resurrect the Dinosaurs. Whoever heard of a blood sucking frog?!

    I want my bloody Dinosaurs!

    * Stamps feet, puts hands on hits and pouts *

    1. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Blood from a very specific kind of frog could have Dino DNA.

      http://pbfcomics.com/?cid=0PBF65005BC-Mosquitos_Bi te.jpg#67

      See?

    2. Re:A frog's no good anyway by TapeCutter · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "* Stamps feet, puts hands on hips and pouts *"

      Patience my friend, if it's anything like today's frogs it will have a gut full of mosquitos we can drill into.

      Seriously, if you are interested in amber and bugs (plus a bonus lizard), David Attenbourough's "Amber" doco is a must see.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    3. Re:A frog's no good anyway by dosboot · · Score: 2, Informative

      Frogs back then ate flies, just like today. If this frog had poor eyesight he might have eaten a mosquito. Sometimes, after eating a mosquito the frog would rest on the branch of a tree, and get stuck in the sap. After a long time, the tree sap would get hard and become fossilized, just like a dinosaur bone, preserving the frog inside!

      This fossilized tree sap -- which we call amber -- waited millions of years, with the mosquito inside until Jurassic Park's scientists came along. Using sophisticated techniques, they extract the preserved blood from the mosquito, and...

      BINGO! Dino DNA!

    4. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Whoever heard of a blood sucking frog?!

      Hey! Let's not insult French vampires! (bada bing!)

      Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all this week.

    5. Re:A frog's no good anyway by mgiuca · · Score: 1

      You do realise that in Jurassic Park they filled in the gaps in the DNA with frog DNA right?

    6. Re:A frog's no good anyway by frup · · Score: 1

      Frogs eat what ever moves... I've had pet Frogs and watched them eat Cicadas and Bees. Didn't seem to harm them. Their guts are pretty strong.

    7. Re:A frog's no good anyway by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      I think you mean French lawyers.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    8. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Alas, the frog is too young for dinosaurs anyway, so it wouldn't matter if it was a vampire frog.

    9. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Wateshay · · Score: 1

      Come on, there's no way this frog could have eaten a fly. It was only .4 inches long. Haven't you ever seen a movie? The bugs were all the size of Volkswagens back then. If anything, the fly would be eating the frog.

      --

      "If English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for everyone else."

    10. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Coucho · · Score: 0

      I want my elephant!

      --
      *pSig = NULL;
    11. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Joebert · · Score: 1

      The amber might preserve the frog, but I don't think the frog preserves the mosquito.
      If anything, there might be a mixture of DNA after 25 million years.

      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
    12. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Drooling+Iguana · · Score: 1

      "I am an insect who dreamt he was a frog, but now that dream is over."

      --
      ... I'm addicted to placebos
    13. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Drooling+Iguana · · Score: 1

      So in order to clone this frog they'll just have to use some velociraptor DNA.

      --
      ... I'm addicted to placebos
    14. Re:A frog's no good anyway by Durf · · Score: 1

      Whoever heard of a blood sucking frog?!

      There's one pictured here.

  4. Find these all the time by Bob54321 · · Score: 5, Funny

    .. but usually mosquitoes instead of frogs. I saw a documentary about extracting the blood they ate and making clones of the animals it belongs to. All I remember is to stand still and you will be fine.

    --
    :(){ :|:& };:
    1. Re:Find these all the time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      wow... I think in this case, Slashdot should allow a -2 offtopic, or perhaps have a special category, like off-the-planet...

    2. Re:Find these all the time by Feanturi · · Score: 1

      Nah, once the -2 didn'tseeJurassicPark mod comes in this will sort itself out just fine.

    3. Re:Find these all the time by Kelson · · Score: 2, Funny

      I saw a documentary about extracting the blood they ate and making clones of the animals it belongs to. All I remember is to stand still and you will be fine.

      Ah, yes! I remember seeing the same historical documents! As I recall, the main conclusion to the research study was that chaos (theory) is the fundamental, driving force in the universe.

      That, and I learned how to recognize a UNIX system.

    4. Re:Find these all the time by /dev/trash · · Score: 1

      not only that. a 3D unix.

    5. Re:Find these all the time by TriezGamer · · Score: 1

      I've seen this exact comment posted as AC in another article as well ... Not sure what this guy's agenda is, but he strikes me as a waste of human flesh.

  5. It cracked the amber and immediately.. by Marko+DeBeeste · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Yelled "Get off my lawn!!" 2) Grabbed a top hat and cane and began singingg "Hello My Baby" 3) ?? 4) Prophet!

    --
    Faith: n. -- That human impulse that drives them to steal appliances when the power goes out
    1. Re:It cracked the amber and immediately.. by dartarrow · · Score: 1

      ...After which it was nailed to an 'X' and worshiped as Frog God by 4 Stereotypes. But of course Everyone know that Salamander Jesus is the only true god..

      --
      I love humanity, it is people I hate
    2. Re:It cracked the amber and immediately.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      [blockquote]4) Prophet![/blockquote]
      A frog prophet? Can't do any worse than the human ones we've had I suppose.

    3. Re:It cracked the amber and immediately.. by Fredbo · · Score: 1

      But is there free beer?

  6. No problem. by jd · · Score: 4, Funny

    They'll just wait until he croaks.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  7. Here's one for ya... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1
    But the all important question:

    Does it taste like chicken?

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    1. Re:Here's one for ya... by skoaldipper · · Score: 1

      Yes, but at this point, more like a McNugget.

      --
      I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
    2. Re:Here's one for ya... by lahi · · Score: 1

      Why? Did it cross the road?

      -Lasse

    3. Re:Here's one for ya... by Brickwall · · Score: 1

      No, the important question is "Is it a crunchy frog?".

      --
      What was once true, is no longer so
  8. Dunno about blood-sucking frogs... by jd · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...although Kermit might qualify. However, if they find a Transylvanian vampire duck with a penchant for carrot-juice preserved in amber, they'd damn well better get the DNA, whatever the owner says.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  9. they say fact is stranger than fiction by circletimessquare · · Score: 0, Redundant

    but i think in this case, the fiction that is jeff goldblum and sam neil going 60 mph in a jeep and scared out of their wits by what they are being chased by has a lot more going for it than the reality of a 0.4 inch frog

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:they say fact is stranger than fiction by Yetihehe · · Score: 1

      (with Steve Irwin voice)Wooow, look at that frog, iy have 0.4 inch, but it's a real monster...(end)

      --
      Extreme Programming - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Developers
    2. Re:they say fact is stranger than fiction by FireHawk77028 · · Score: 1

      Unless its hypnotoad and its going to control our minds! Thats pretty terrifying.

      Cig? No thanks I'm trying to quit.

  10. FROGGER!! by Dude163299 · · Score: 0

    Now we just need to find prehistoric tires with frog impresions on it.

    1. Re:FROGGER!! by Andrew+Kismet · · Score: 3, Funny

      I think you're more likely to find prehistoric frogs with tire impressions.

  11. Looks Like a Grasshopper by Bellum+Aeternus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Kudos to the scientist. From the photo I would have called it a grasshopper. Anyways, this is very cool news. If the owner (or future owner) allows scientists to drill in and get a small sample of DNA we'll be able to link it to a modern variety of frog and perhaps other animals; and it will be an amazing lineage of how DNA gets morphed over time to adapt to the environment. I'll need to do some searching to see how the frog's environment differs from 25 million years ago to now.

    --
    - I voted for Nintendo and against Bush
    1. Re:Looks Like a Grasshopper by nomadic · · Score: 1

      I think the chances of getting viable DNA from a 25 million year old body are very, very small.

    2. Re:Looks Like a Grasshopper by PPH · · Score: 1

      I think the chances of getting viable DNA from a 25 million year old body are very, very small.

      Just ask Anna Nicole Smith.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    3. Re:Looks Like a Grasshopper by swordfishBob · · Score: 1

      This particular frog was ranting and raving about the rate of climate change, so his associates said "we'll show YOU how the climate changes", and threw him into the amber, where he'd be suspended like Han Solo for 25,000,000 years. He's still waiting to be awakened, and expecting the world to be very, very cold.

      --
      -- All your bass are below two Hz
    4. Re:Looks Like a Grasshopper by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This frogs got NDA so no DNA

  12. 25 MILLION YEARS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Never have I said "this frog is 25 million years old" in a terrified manner.
    Mitch Hedberg

  13. Corrected Headline: Alien Frog Discovered by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Earth is only 6,000 years old, so this ancient frog must be from another planet!

    1. Re:Corrected Headline: Alien Frog Discovered by stud9920 · · Score: 1

      No, God played a trick on you, it made it look like it is 25m years old to challenge you faith.

    2. Re:Corrected Headline: Alien Frog Discovered by operagost · · Score: 1

      Wow, I've never hear that before! *roll eyes*

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    3. Re:Corrected Headline: Alien Frog Discovered by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      no, you've been indoctinated by the state.
      youre statement would read more correct as such;
      "No, men played a trick on you, they supposed it was 25m years old without being able to prove as such in order to establish a faith void of authority above their own."

      how are ages usually determined in such instances?
      the specimen is dated by the layer of strata it is found in.

      how is the age of the layer of strata determined in such instances?
      the strata layers are dated by the specimen that are (supposed to be) found in them.

      circular reasoning.

      A Mexican researcher announced the rare find of a tiny tree frog completely preserved in amber on Wednesday that he estimates lived about 25 million years ago.


  14. So What If No Drilling? by logicnazi · · Score: 5, Insightful

    There are a lot of interesting non-invasive techniques that can be used to analyze the frog for now. Sure no DNA but the frog has made it 25 million years, I'm sure the DNA isn't going to get much worse in the next thousand years or so.

    Right now DNA technology is in its infancy. Eventually someone who inherits or buys the frog will let the more advanced DNA technology of the day at the frog and we will find out about it then.

    Nothing is being lost we just need a bit of patience.

    --

    If you liked this thought maybe you would find my blog nice too:

    1. Re:So What If No Drilling? by skoaldipper · · Score: 1

      > There are a lot of interesting non-invasive techniques that can be used to analyze the frog for now.

      After I read the article, my first question was how can they date this frog without cracking the amber? The owner would not allow them to drill a hole for now. They dated the amber instead?

      --
      I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
    2. Re:So What If No Drilling? by Joebert · · Score: 1

      I don't know about you, but I ain't gettin any younger.
      Crack that fucker open !

      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
  15. This frogs has waited 25 millions years.. by jigyasubalak · · Score: 3, Funny

    ..to be kissed and to be turned into a princess.
    I hope someone gives it that much chance.

    --
    The best planning can be done after the project completes.
    1. Re:This frogs has waited 25 millions years.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      after you...

    2. Re:This frogs has waited 25 millions years.. by operato · · Score: 1

      man you should keep your sick fantasies to yourself! kissing frogs... *turns around and kisses a frog* nothing to see here...

    3. Re:This frogs has waited 25 millions years.. by noigmn · · Score: 1

      Who'd want a 25 million year old princess? She'd be more than a little wrinkly.

      --
      Slashdot is powered by your submission.
    4. Re:This frogs has waited 25 millions years.. by clickclickdrone · · Score: 2, Funny

      >Who'd want a 25 million year old princess? She'd be more than a little wrinkly.
      It could be Princess Leia? I wouldn't say no, especially in that metal bikini number.

      --
      I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
    5. Re:This frogs has waited 25 millions years.. by Joebert · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but think of what her 401kBC would be worth today !

      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
    6. Re:This frogs has waited 25 millions years.. by PPH · · Score: 1

      ..to be kissed and to be turned into a princess.

      "And that, your honor, is how the 16 year old girl came to be in my hotel room."

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
  16. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Sinryc · · Score: 1

    Jeeze if your trying to make a crack at creationists, at least be funny about it!

    --
    Yay, I have a sig.
  17. No, no, I saw how to handle this on Looney Tunes.. by Bamafan77 · · Score: 2, Funny

    This frog is undoubtedly very talented and has a great voice.

  18. Good catch by Warbringer87 · · Score: 1

    Half inch~! That is one tiny ass frog.

    1. Re:Good catch by x1n933k · · Score: 1

      In Ditches and bongs all over Nova Scotia we have the Northern Spring Peeper. It isn't much more than 1/2 if that. [J]

    2. Re:Good catch by Silicon+Jedi · · Score: 1

      I've heard toads are hallucinogenic, but I don't think frogs in your bong are a good idea.

    3. Re:Good catch by Joebert · · Score: 1

      Nonsense !
      Watching them dance on the bubbles is rather entertaining.
      Though, I'm still not 100% sure there was actually frogs in there, or if I was just high.

      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
  19. Losers by 4D6963 · · Score: 4, Informative

    However, he expressed doubt that the stone's owner would allow researchers to drill a small hole into the chunk of amber. "I don't think he will allow it, because it's a very rare, unique piece," said Carbot.

    Oh my god losers, they didn't even ask him, they just say "oh well I don't think he'll accept".

    it doesn't seem as though the scientists will be allowed to drill into the rock, at the owner's request.

    I love the smell of a misleading summary in the morning.

    --
    You just got troll'd!
    1. Re:Losers by ryanguill · · Score: 1

      What the hell are you doing reading TFA?? This is slashdot, you read the summary, you hit reply and you try to make a joke. Any links in the summary are just there for looks.

    2. Re:Losers by Joebert · · Score: 1

      *SLAP*

      Hoe what the fuck I told you about doin that shit !?
      You better get your cocksucker back out there makin my muthafukin money & quit runnin that shit in here.

      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
  20. Impossible by L4m3rthanyou · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    25 million years old?! That's preposterous! Come now, we all know the earth is only 6,000 years old.

    --
    One of these days, I'm going to cut you into little pieces.
    1. Re:Impossible by unitron · · Score: 2, Funny
      "25 million years old?! That's preposterous! Come now, we all know the earth is only 6,000 years old."

      That's what makes this so special, it was around over 24 million years waiting for a planet to come into being directly underneath it.

      Best not to drill it, though. You know what they say about letting sleeping frogs lie. :-)

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

    2. Re:Impossible by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

      it was around over 24 million years waiting for a planet to come into being directly underneath it.
      What, just hovering in space above a turtle?
      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    3. Re:Impossible by swordfishBob · · Score: 1

      ..and of course we're all qualified to say "if it's in amber, it must be 25,000,000 years old. They stopped making that stuff around 24,999,940 years ago when the old lady with the recipe died".

      --
      -- All your bass are below two Hz
    4. Re:Impossible by unitron · · Score: 1

      "What, just hovering in space above a turtle?"

      Several turtles, actually. As the old lady said, "It's turtles all the way down."

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

  21. The Black Scorpion (1957) by Ridcully · · Score: 1

    There are worse things one can find fossilized near Mexico City.

    Surprisingly, "The Black Scorpion" had special effects from O'Brien and not Harryhausen.

  22. Sounds dangerous by Centurix · · Score: 2, Funny

    All glory to the Hypnofrog!

    --
    Task Mangler
    1. Re:Sounds dangerous by DrMindWarp · · Score: 1


      More like the Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka

  23. Homer Simpson was heard to comment... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "Mmmmmm... Prehistoric"

  24. No need to drill it - 3D tomography first by G3ckoG33k · · Score: 4, Informative

    Check out the 3D pics at http://digimorph.org/. Once that is done, and no relevant information was found, one might proceed to persuade the owner. To take a destructive step first is just unnecessary.

    1. Re:No need to drill it - 3D tomography first by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What about the genome?

    2. Re:No need to drill it - 3D tomography first by Mr2cents · · Score: 1

      When I first read the summary, I thought "the selfish bastard!". But after thinking about it for a while, I've changed my mind. I'm all for science (scientia vincere tenebras), but in this case, what mind-boggling discoveries will we miss? What earth-changing technologies will we fail to develop? Most likely, none. Someone will write a paper about it that most likely will be lost in the vast ocean of scientific publications, and that's it. Just leave the man his toy.

      --
      "It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton LaVey
    3. Re:No need to drill it - 3D tomography first by Chacham · · Score: 1

      What earth-changing technologies will we fail to develop? Most likely, none. Someone will write a paper about it that most likely will be lost in the vast ocean of scientific publications, and that's it. Just leave the man his toy.

      Good point. Indeed, should he stir up enough news with his refusal, it may gain artificial worth, and then he can laugh it all the way to the bank.

  25. Well if they are willing to wait... by PostPhil · · Score: 3, Informative

    ...the frog has been preserved for millions of years, another 50 isn't going to make a difference. The scientific community could just wait for the owner to die, then they can get the amber and drill anyway.

    (...or they could just ask nicely.)

    1. Re:Well if they are willing to wait... by FredDC · · Score: 1

      (...or they could just ask nicely.)

      Drill first, ask later?

      --
      09 f9 11 02 9d 74 e3 5b d8 41 56 c5 63
    2. Re:Well if they are willing to wait... by mgiuca · · Score: 3, Funny

      Lol how would you like to be the owner... the entire scientific community on the planet just waiting for an "accident" ;)

  26. Touchwood by clickety6 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Touchwood? Is that thou, Touchwood? Hast thou returnethest to Catweazle?

    --
    ----------------------------------- My Other Sig Is Hilarious -----------------------------------
  27. Crunchy? by Scarletdown · · Score: 2, Funny

    The big question is, is it a crunchy frog, or might it just be some sort of mock frog?

    --
    This space unintentionally left blank.
    1. Re:Crunchy? by laejoh · · Score: 1, Informative

      Those who modded this Offtopic obviously don't know their Monty Python stuff!

    2. Re:Crunchy? by udippel · · Score: 1

      Uuh, hurried here to place this joke myself.
      2nd post, so to say.

      Chapeau, Scarletdown !

      Though, 'The Times They Are A-Changin' ... ... now any non-geeky person may mod ...

      Saves me a hare-brained '-1', though. Offtopic: njet.
      Wait, there is still 'redundant'. - Ought to have posted as AC. Too late ...

    3. Re:Crunchy? by weeboo0104 · · Score: 0

      They'll have to call it the "Stale, 25 million year old frog"

      Sales will plummet.

      --
      It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
  28. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Bastard+of+Subhumani · · Score: 1

    if your trying to make a crack at creationists, at least be funny about it
    Futile excercise; try as you might, you can never be as funny as they are.
    --
    Only three things are certain; death, taxes, and apocryphal quotations - Ben Franklin.
  29. Daddy loves Froggy, does Froggy love Daddy? ribbit by flickwipe · · Score: 1

    "Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as though the scientists will be allowed to drill into the rock, at the owner's request."

    Well just drill in anyway, replace the frog with an animal cracker and hope he don't notice.



    Also - Jurassic Croak. Groan

  30. Critters in Amber - Pictures by giafly · · Score: 2, Informative

    These are found quite often.

    If you found a frog in most products you'd be disgusted. Here it's a good thing. Anyone know who does their PR?

    --
    Reduce, reuse, cycle
    1. Re:Critters in Amber - Pictures by mgiuca · · Score: 1

      I don't believe they're usually 25 million years old.

    2. Re:Critters in Amber - Pictures by Ralconte · · Score: 1

      According to a scientific journal article I once read (can't remember the title -- maybe Museum Curator, or something like that), frogs and lizards in amber tend to decompose a little bit before the amber preserves them. And the photos of this frog certainly fit that description. So yeah, this is not exactly pendant material.

      There are a lot of frauds out there, however. Hollow out some amber, insert animal remains, fill in with resin (copal is the semi-fossilized sap of trees and melts easily or you can use synthetic polymers), then ... profit. The article I read mentioned a famous fraudulent frog specimen. They weren't allowed to take a sample, and it had all the right clues: amber was oxidized, there were debris inclusions throughout the amber, frog partially decomposed, there was an air inclusion ... wait, lets look at the air inclusion under a microscope ... wait, that's not air, it's a tiny scallop shell ... some fraudster forgot marine=!aquatic. Then it was obvious, oh that crack at the top of the piece was wasn't a crack, it was where the top was sawed off. All in all, a very careful but flawed hoax.

    3. Re:Critters in Amber - Pictures by Ralconte · · Score: 1

      All I can find online with a quick google search is this reference here: http://www.vgms.org/bt/vgms0109.htm

  31. What To Name It..... by IHC+Navistar · · Score: 1

    They should call it the "Dick Clark" toad.

    --
    Knowing Google's lust for data collection, the Soviet Union is still alive and well inside the psyche of Sergey Brin....
  32. Boring by Fist!+Of!+Death! · · Score: 1

    Get with the program people. A frog in amber is soooooooo much less tasty than scorpions in lollipops http://www.firebox.com/index.html?dir=firebox&acti on=product&pid=618&src_t=sbk&src_id=lollipop

    --
    Nothing witty
  33. so it's true? by martin-boundary · · Score: 1

    "You've found Nurhachi?"

  34. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It wasn't a Monday, it was a Sunday. (Easy to work out: 6 days working, then the Sabbath (Saturday) rest.

  35. 1 more step by jlebrech · · Score: 0
    Now I just have to recombine the missing DNA with mosquito DNA and incubate it in fresh dinosaur eggs,

    then I'll be able to recreate the mosquito's that the frog ate.

    My prehistoric mosquito park is going to be a resounding success.

  36. But... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... Is it... Is it dead?

    It is dead, isn't it?

    1. Re:But... by martinsr · · Score: 1

      Its not dead Its paigning for the fjords

  37. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    God is like George Lucas. He wasn't satisfied witht the Bible so he came up with some prequels that involved a 25 milliion year old frog creating Earth.

  38. Good marketing ploy by ashwinds · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I can just see the ad line "Collectors item - pristine 25 Million year old frog, certified by the @@@@ Lab". From the looks of it, the collector got a bunch of scientists to do the marketing for him. Now that the interest will get built up, the value will go up. Also, he makes sure that there is enough value for the next buyer as well by ensuring they don't drill it up now.

  39. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by pdtp · · Score: 1

    An there is scientific evidence that the earth is only 6000 years old. A great website with free vids on the info http://www.drdino.com/downloads.php The artical doesnt even state what kind of testing was done to say it is 25 million years old they just throw out some random number for all we know it could have been done last week in a lab.

  40. That is one old frog ... by palemantle · · Score: 1

    Erm that really ought to read 25 million year old corpse of a frog or something. They got me real scared for a second ...

  41. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by AnnuitCoeptis · · Score: 1

    rofl, pity i can't give you 'digg up' points..

  42. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by garlicbready · · Score: 1

    I always figured it was done as a last minute rush job over the weekend (the same as everything else in the Universe)
    damn those Service Level Agreements

  43. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Sesticulus · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Isn't this the guy going to jail for tax evasion and who threatened the prosecutors and judges on the jail telephone. He doesn't sound particularly bright and somehow I think he's probably not the guy to look for in regards to "Truth".

    He certainly missed that part of the bible about render unto Caesar and do unto others. So I would guess that in all the other fields he claims to offer startling evidence that overthrow the existing theories and mountains of data, he's probably missed the boat too.

  44. Ah... by TransEurope · · Score: 1

    "A small frog, found preserved in amber..."
    ...Delicatessen :-D

  45. Maybe too soon to drill, anyway by tgibbs · · Score: 1

    I think that I'm with the owner. Genetic sequencing technology is still rapidly developing. Eventually, it will probably be possible to sequence the frog's entire genome in a few days from a small sample, so let's wait to drill.

  46. To everyone who's making Jurassic park cracks... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's at least 35 million years too young. Sorry, no dinosaur DNA in the mosquitoes it ate.
    Now if you want to clone the frog itself, you can try, I guess, but I don't think "Look at our prehistoric frogs through a magnifying glass" is a good punch line. Maybe you'd have better luck with "At least they won't eat you alive"...

    ...wait, will they? They don't have teeth, do they?

  47. Moo by Chacham · · Score: 2, Funny

    Scientist: Frog could be 25 million years old

    It could also be 35 million years old. Change the headline!

    Who made up this 25-million year thing anyway, and why. It sounds to me like some sensationalist news reporter asked:

    Reporter: Is it possible the frog is old.
    Scientist: It is very like to be very old, considering it is preserved in amber.
    Reporter: Could it be a million years old?
    Scientist: Perhaps.
    Reporter: How about a billion years old?
    Scientist: That is less probable as frogs weren't around quite yet.
    Reporter: Maybe one-hundred million years old?
    Scientist: You may be pushing it.
    Reporter: Then fifty?
    Scientist: Listen, lower it to twenty-five and you can use my name. Now just pay me and get lost, the next reporter is coming in.
    Reporter: "Scientist: Frog could be 25 million years old"

    1. Re:Moo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe they compared it to fossils of similar frogs that have been dated. Or they could have placed it in the evolutionary timescale by comparing it to descendant or ancestor species. Or the piece of amber was in well-dated strata. Or any number of possibilities that people who are a lot smarter than you have figured out.

  48. OMG! by aarrieta · · Score: 1

    is it alive?!

  49. Dating without drilling by Danny+Rathjens · · Score: 1

    Probably based on how deep in which layer it was discovered. Often times the 24 million year old stuff is on top of the 25 million year old stuff. :) I also think they can tell what type of tree the amber came from. For example, if the species of trees around producing amber 300 million years ago is different to the ones producing amber 25 million years ago and the ones producing amber fossils from 30 to 200 million years back didn't grow in that geographic area, etc.

  50. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Dimensio · · Score: 1

    An there is scientific evidence that the earth is only 6000 years old. A great website with free vids on the info http://www.drdino.com/downloads.php [drdino.com]

    I am curious as to why the claims of a known liar should be considered.

  51. Its only a short wait by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wait till the owner dies, then buy it off the estate.

    The frog isn't going anywhere.

  52. Re: Tabernac! by Whatsizface · · Score: 1

    Have the French been around for that long?

  53. Hmmmmmmm... by maynard · · Score: 1

    ...Crunchy frog.

  54. Here's the video... by nbritton · · Score: 1


    Prehistoric stuff encapsulated in amber:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-4BQqbyYaQ

  55. Crazy Frog by DanCentury · · Score: 1

    The difference between Slashdot and Fark is right now I would be posting a picture of the Crazy Frog.

  56. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Lane.exe · · Score: 1

    I would think that the poor spelling and grammar in Pdtp's post would be an indication of his or her ability to discern fact from fantasy.

    --
    IAALS.
  57. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 1

    I am curious as to why the claims of a known liar should be considered.

    I have no feelings for this Hovind fellow one way or another, but whoever put together that Geocities page doesn't understand what a "lie" is. Stating an opinion, whether or not it's at odds with common thought, is not a lie. Not only that, but the author makes quite a few unsourced statements about Hovind on subjects that it's doubtful that he knows about, and personal attacks litter the entire piece. Not exactly something that inspires confidence.

    The problem is common among point-by-point rebuttals -- the author was so desperate to find "lies" that he ended up misrepresenting the argument that he is trying to attack. There are some good points buried in there, but they're in the middle of so much crap that nobody except people that have already made up their minds on the subject are going to actually read through to find them.

    From what I read, there's no information there that isn't covered in more depth and accuracy elsewhere. It would probably make more sense to point to a more professional page, if you feel the need to point people to a source on the arguments against creationism.

    --

    How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
  58. OMFG by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yoda.... Is that you?

  59. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Dimensio · · Score: 1

    I have no feelings for this Hovind fellow one way or another, but whoever put together that Geocities page doesn't understand what a "lie" is. Stating an opinion, whether or not it's at odds with common thought, is not a lie.

    I do not dispute that some of the entries on Buddika's page are opinion, but you cannot deny that a number of the exposed claims from Hovind are demonstratable lies.

    For example, Hovind's claim that the human Cytochrome gene is closer to that of a sunflower's than that of a chimpanzee's is a complete falsehood.

    Hovind also lies about the definition of "evolution". The fundamental premise of his arguments against the theory of evolution are an outright lie. Citing him as a source of information on any subject demonstrates either personal dishonesty or abysmal ignorance. In either case, the credibilty of the individual making the reference is called into question.

  60. It's PRINCE, moron! by RealProgrammer · · Score: 1

    Please! Let's get our ancient Eurocentric fable memes right.

    And you should have said ... to be kissed and the world will be shocked to find there's an older prince than Charles.

    -or- ... to be kissed by Diana, who is currently unavailable.

    Not that I would say either of those things, which would be in poor taste.

    --
    sigs, as if you care.
  61. One Froggy Evening by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Straight out of the classic Looney Tunes cartoon... Michigan J. Frog!

    "Hello! ma baby, Hello! Ma honey, Hello! ma ragtime gal."
    etc etc.

  62. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 1

    I do not dispute that some of the entries on Buddika's page are opinion, but you cannot deny that a number of the exposed claims from Hovind are demonstratable lies.

    And this was my point. I only skimmed through the first page of stuff, because I don't care enough to try to sort through Buddika's ranting to try to find the useful information -- and so, of course, I never made it to the Cytochrome gene stuff. Nobody who doesn't already have an anti-creationist axe to grind is going to bother reading it when there are dozens of good, professional, well-written and organized sites out there.

    Like I said, there are some good points there, but the presentation is so poor that I have no confidence in the author.

    --

    How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
  63. The paleogene period called by MarkoNo5 · · Score: 1

    they want their frog back

  64. I think you mean "honhonhon!" by P0ldy · · Score: 1

    This is clear proof that the French founded civilization.

  65. Hopkin? by yanoseek · · Score: 1

    if I looking for frog him name is hopkin green frog I lost my frog P.S. I'll find my frog Who took my frog Who found my frog

  66. Re:but, God created world 6000 years ago... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Or he it could indicate that he's learning disabled or speaking in a second language. I know a lot of people assume I am dumb because my LDs interfere with my spelling and grammar skills in quick off the cuff posts where I lack the time or inclination to spell check.

  67. Lasers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's a good job lasers hadn't been invented twenty five zillion years ago, or we'd be in the shit right now.

  68. Re: Possible 25 Million Year Old Frog Found by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hello, my baby!
    Hello, my honey!
    Hello, my ragtime gal...