Frogs don't use UVB...

[wesleybrouwer]

Indeed little research is done on the needs of frogs concerning UV or even vitamins/minerals.
But almost every living thing benefits from sunlight (UV), i can't see why a frog would be any different.

UV provides a natural source of Vitamin D, something that is included in most of the supplements as well.
I do believe a natural source is always better then by getting it trough supplements,
that is why i use the UV in stead of a lot of Vit.D in powder form.
It is essential to nerves and Calcium:Phosphor household,
so i think the importance must not be underestimated

Even under the canopy, there is always an amount of radiation.
Altough you might not expect it, people can even tan or burn in the shade.

This is because not all radiation is filtered out by a tree or umbrella.
Altough most UV-B will be absorbed, UV-A wich is far more present in sunlight will come trough.
Sunlight concists out of around 10% UV, of which 96% is UV-A, the rest is UV-B.
UV-B radiation however, is 10 times as strong as A radiation.

To get tanned or sunburned by mostly/only UV-A radiation will take you approx. 10 times longer, but eventually it will happen, even when you think to be protected from the sun by sitting in the shade.

To my understanding, the waxy monkey tree frog, uses it's secretion because of the high temperatures,
It prevents them from drying out, if it has an UV block, i am not certain.

@ Poison beauties

About the effects of UV on tadpoles, i've read some studies, in which it became clear that different species have different reactions.
Some don't have any negative effects in any stadium, from egg to froglet/toadlet.
Others seem to be less secretive when a high dose is provided, causing them to be easier prey for predators.
I saw some species getting a higher mortality rate in tadpole stage because of this.
Just google for a while to see the different outcomes on different species.
It might be in line with the natural deposit sites.
In case of froglet/toadlet stage, the mortality rates didn't seem to differ significantly.

Research done on frogs about this subject, i am verry interested in.
So if you are familiair with some, please let me know.

[poison beauties]

Tree frogs are not my strong point. I do use a uv sterilizer and uv lighting over my hydroponic tad pole setups
I will post them up when I get a chance to. temp controled, filter driven water runs through the system and if anything my success rate has greatly improven with the mre difficult thumbs like fants and reticulata.

Michael

[Socrates]

There have been numerous independent studies performed by various scientists pointing to the dangers of UVB on amphibians development and immune response. I only know this, because currently I am performing research on Rana sylvatica, and will be exposing them to various suspect stressors and seeing what their immune responses are. I read many times (from my mountain of scientific journals) that UVB can decrease growth, retard predator avoidance behavior of tadpoles, increase susceptibility to Bd and other fungus as well as increased incidence of parasite infection. Plus it makes sense that various species of frogs produce UV protecting mucus secretions, because they are protecting themselves from the damaging radiation. I find it all very interesting, but I have a gut feeling that it would not be beneficial going by the research to assume frogs actively bask like many reptiles do in full sunlight for extended periods.

Ok, I'll stop the nerdy train :-)

P.S. Beautiful frog.