Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles of Costa Rica by Carrol L. Henderson

Author:Carrol L. Henderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Published: 2002-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

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Agalychnis spurrelli

Total length: 2.0–3.7 inches (50–95 millimeters).

Range: Costa Rica and Panama to the Pacific lowlands of Colombia and Ecuador.

Elevational range: Sea level to 2,900 feet.

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The Gliding Leaf Frog inhabits old-growth and secondary humid forests. This uncommon species is currently known to exist at only a few sites in Costa Rica. To add to the difficulty in observing this species, it is an explosive breeder, normally found only near breeding sites for a few days at a time. It reproduces by laying its eggs on the vegetation overhanging ponds in secondary and old-growth forest. Brian Kubicki has documented that reproduction in this species is most often associated with the full moon. During breeding events, hundreds of adult individuals can be seen on the ground and vegetation surrounding a breeding pond. The peak breeding activity often takes place after midnight, when it is possible to see dozens of pairs in amplexus or ovipositing. At times in large breeding aggregations, masses of males can be seen wrestling as they try to enter amplexus with a single female. Embryonic development is normally completed after five days. Larval development can take up to six months. The tadpoles feed on suspended organic material in the water.

This rare species is difficult to observe in most areas, but a good place to see it is at the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center during a full moon in the rainy season.

For more information about this species and other Costa Rican phyllomedusine frogs, the reader is referred to the book Leaf Frogs of Costa Rica, by Brian Kubicki.

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