These frogs are among the many unusual species that Maxson has encountered through her research. She uses her expertise in biochemistry and genetics to determine the evolutionary history of frogs. Other researchers often request her help in learning more about particular species' family tree. Frogs, whether or not they belong to an unusual species, are very useful to humankind, Maxson explains. They are major consumers of mosquitoes and other noxious insects.
Some species produce toxins that have potential medicinal value.
In addition, frogs have been used in biology classrooms for many years, because they produce externally fertilized eggs that can be brought in and studied. A lot of what we understand about human development comes from some very early studies on the development of frog eggs. Many frog species are now extinct, Maxson says. They are disappearing because of habitat degradation. That's particularly true in South America and some places in Europe, Asia, and Australia, where humans are expanding, paving things over for homes, or removing forests for agricultural and lumbering purposes.