2. Amphibians
  3. Amphibians - Central America

Not-so-treefrogs - Central America

A collection of photographs to showcase some of the lesser known, but no less brilliant, "ground dwelling" frogs (though it's true that many of these species will readily take to climbing).
Included in this gallery is my favorite group- the rain/litter frogs. At first glance, most of these frogs appear as small brown flashes of movement along the trail side as they flee from our thudding footsteps, many of which are less than two inches in total length! It is my hope to show these often overlooked animals in a different prospective, a new light- and hope they will bring you as much joy as they bring me.

Enjoy,
-Don
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Juvenile Clay-colored rain frog (<i>Pristimantis cerasinus</i>) Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve, Costa Rica
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Juvenile Clay-colored rain frog (Pristimantis cerasinus) Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve, Costa Rica

Pristimantis cerasinuseleutherodactylus cerasinusStrabomantidaeclay colored rainfrograra avis rainforest reservecosta ricadirect developmentterrarana

  • Golden-groined Rainfrog (<i>Pristimantis cruentus</i>) This is an extremely variable species that most likely consist of a complex of 5-10 distinct species. Note the tuberculate eyelid, red eyes, and touch of orange within the yellow/gold groin coloration.
  • Golden-groined Rainfrog (<i>Pristimantis cruentus</i>) This is an extremely variable species that most likely consist of a complex of 5-10 distinct species.
  • Golden-groined Rainfrog (<i>Pristimantis cruentus</i>) This is an extremely variable species that most likely consist of a complex of 5-10 distinct species.
  • Golden-groined Rainfrog (<i>Pristimantis cruentus</i>) This is an extremely variable species that most likely consist of a complex of 5-10 distinct species.
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Pygmy rainfrog (<i>Pristimantis ridens</i>) Finca La Escondida, Costa Rica
  • One of the many forms of Golden-groined rainfrog (<i>Pristimantis cruentus</i>) Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve, Costa Rica
  • A large female Common rainfrog (<i>Craugastor fitzingeri</i>) Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve, Costa Rica
  • Common tink frog (<i>Diasporus diastema</i>) Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve, Costa Rica
  • Common rainfrog (<i>Craugastor fitzingeri</i>) Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve, Costa Rica
  • <i>Craugastor podiciferus</i> Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica
  • Juvenile Clay-colored rain frog (<i>Pristimantis cerasinus</i>) Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve, Costa Rica
  • Green-and-black Poison Dart frogs (<I>Dendrobates auratus</i>) display a dizzying array of color and pattern variations, which reaches its peak diversity in Panama. Macedonio and I set out early one morning from the Pacific mountain town of El Cope, Panama and started our traverse up and over the continental divide. After crossing over the divide, we traveled down the Caribbean slope until we reached our destination- the small village of Santa Marta. Now, the night before, Macedonio had told me that the Dendrobates over there were "celeste- no azul, no verde, pero, son celeste". Blue, green, blue/green, whatever color I had in my mind could not prepare me for seeing this beauty! This trek was full of amazing spectacles- stream crossings, riverside rocket frogs, herds of toadlets, 20 meter high rainforest waterfalls with hidden pools, and even a pygmy owl smaller than my hand! But it was this celestial frog that stole the spotlight for the day!
  • During one of our last dinners in Panama, I asked research assistants Aaron and Garl two very basic, but surprisingly difficult questions: "What was your favorite moment and what was your favorite animal from this expedition?" We saw MANY amazing species; big and small, dull and colorful, deadly and innocuous, some of which are undescribed and new to science. I won't speak for those two but here's mine: Sexy? No. Elegant? No. Large, in charge and badass? Yes. <i>Strabomantis bufoniformis</i>. A large riparian member of the terrarana group. Seen in Darien, Panama, May 2013
  • <i>Strabomantis bufoniformis</i> Aside from <i>S. laticorpus</i> marginally entering Panama, this is the only species of <i>Strabomantis</i> found in Central America. It is a large, tuberculate riparian species. Darien, Panama May 2013
  • Undescribed <i>Diasporus</i> from the central Panama mountains May 2013
  • This tink frog (<i>Diasporus quidditus</i>) was found on a herpetological expedition into the Darien Province of eastern Panama. It's nighttime coloration was a greenish-yellow. Cerro Chucanti, Darien, Panama May 2013
  • <i>Pristimantis caryophyllaceus</i> Cerro Chucanti, Darien, Panama May 2013
  • <i>Strabomantis bufoniformis</i> Cerro Chucanti, Darien, Panama May 2013
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