Salazar-Zúñiga, J. A., & García-Rodríguez, A.
Abstract
Here we describe the previously unknown advertisement call of Craugastor noblei, another representative of the Craugastor gollmeri Group. This is the second species known to vocalize of the three in the group (C. gollmeri, C. noblei, and C. mimus) that occur in lower Central America (Savage 2002). Other natural history notes for the species, such as habitat use, daily calling activity, and calling season are also included.

Kubicki, B., & Salazar, S.
Abstract
We report on the discovery of three specimens of the recently described fringe-limbed treefrog, Ecnomiohyla bailarina, from the southeastern Caribbean foothills of Costa Rica; previously, this species was known only from the male holotype collected in the Darién region of extreme eastern Panama. The discovery of E. bailarina in Costa Rica represents a new country record and extends the species’ known range approximately 750 terrestrial kilometers to the northwest. Additionally, we present a detailed morphological description of the three Costa Rican specimens, including unreported sexually dimorphic characters from a female specimen, describe the advertisement call, and shed more light on the natural history of this enigmatic species.

Kubicki, B., Salazar, S., & Puschendorf, R.
Abstract
We describe a new glassfrog belonging to the genus Hyalinobatrachium from the tropical wet forests and premontane rainforests of the Caribbean foothills of Costa Rica, at elevations between 400–800 m. The type locality is approximately 4km west of Santa Clara, ca. 400 m a.s.l. (N 10.219, W 83.949). This new taxon is distinguished by its morphological characteristics, distinct advertisement call, and genetic distance (COI mRNA). The new species can be distinguished from other species of the genus Hyalinobatrachium by the combination of the following characters: (1) snout truncate in dorsal and lateral views; (2) granular dorsal skin; (3) parietal and cardial peritonea transparent; (4) hand webbing formula III 2- –2+ IV; (5) in life having a uniform lime green dorsal surface that lacks any evident light or dark spots; (6) iris coloration silvery-white with fine dark spots or reticulation; (7) advertisement call consisting of a single tonal long metallic whistlelike note with a duration of 0.40–0.55 s (average 0.501 s) and a dominant frequency of 3.35–3.44 kHz (average 3.39 kHz); (8) highly divergent DNA sequences for the mitochondrial gene COI from other analysed members of the genus Hyalinobatrachium, with 12.4% divergence from its closest known species, Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi.
Resumen
Describimos una nueva rana de vidrio que pertenece al género Hyalinobatrachium que se encuentra en los bosques tropicales húmedos y bosques premontanos lluviosos de la vertiente caribeña de Costa Rica, entre los 400–800 m sobre el nivel del mar. La localidad tipo está ubicada aproximadamente 4km hacia el oeste desde Santa Clara, ca. 400 m.s.n.m. (N 10.219, W 83.949). Este nuevo taxón se distingue por sus características morfológicas, canto y distancia genética (COI mRNA). La nueva especie se distingue de las otras especies de Hyalinobatrachium por la combinacion de las siguientes caracteristicas: (1) hocico truncado en vista dorsal y lateral; (2) piel granulada; (3) peritoneos parietal y cardiaco transparentes; (4) fórmula de la membrana de la mano III 2- –2+ IV; (5) en vida dorso uniforme verde y sin puntos claros o oscuros evidentes; (6) iris blanco con puntos o reticulación fina y oscura; (7) canto consistente en un largo silbido metálico con una duración de 0.40–0.55 s (promedio 0.501 s) y una frecuencia dominante de 3.35–3.44 kHz (promedio 3.39 kHz); (8) secuencias de ADN para el gen mitocondrial COI altamente divergentes respecto a los otros miembros analizados del género Hyalinobatrachium, con una divergencia del 12.4% con Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi, la especie conocida más cercana.

Salazar, S.

Whitfield, S. M., Alvarado, G., Abarca, J., Zumbado, H., Zuñiga, I., Wainwright, M., & Kerby, J
Abstract
Global amphibian biodiversity has declined dramatically in the past 4 decades, and many amphibian species have declined to near extinction as a result of emergence of the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). However, persistent or recovering populations of several amphibian species have recently been rediscovered, and such populations may illustrate how amphibian species that are highly susceptible to chytridiomycosis may survive in the presence of Bd. We conducted field surveys for Bd infection in 7 species of Costa Rican amphibians (all species that have declined to near extinction but for which isolated populations persist) to characterize infection profiles in highly Bd-susceptible amphibians post-decline. We found highly variable patterns in infection, with some species showing low prevalence (~10%) and low infection intensity and others showing high infection prevalence (>80%) and either low or high infection intensity. Across sites, infection rates were negatively associated with mean annual precipitation, and infection intensity across sites was negatively associated with mean average temperatures. Our results illustrate that even the most Bd-susceptible amphibians can persist in Bd-enzootic ecosystems, and that multiple ecological or evolutionary mechanisms likely exist for host−pathogen co-existence between Bd and the most Bd-susceptible amphibian species. Continued monitoring of these populations is necessary to evaluate population trends (continuing decline, stability, or population growth). These results should inform efforts to mitigate impacts of Bd on amphibians in the field.

Salazar-Zuñiga, J. A., Chaves Acuña, W. J., Chaves, G., Acuña, A., Abarca Odio, J. I., Lobon, J., & Bolaños, F
Abstract
Regarding amphibians, Costa Rica exhibits the greatest species richness per unit area in Middle America, with a total of 215 species reported to date. However, this number is likely an underestimate due to the presence of many unexplored areas that are difficult to access. Between 2012 and 2017, a monitoring survey of amphibians was conducted in the Central Caribbean of Costa Rica, on the northern edge of the Matama mountains in the Talamanca mountain range, to study the distribution patterns and natural history of species across this region, particularly those considered as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The results show the highest amphibian species richness among Middle America lowland evergreen forests, with a notable anuran representation of 64 species. The greatest diversity in the study area occurred in the mature forest on the basal belt. Of the 68 amphibian species found, seven (10%) are endemic to the Atlantic versant and eight (11.6%) are threatened. This survey includes the first record of Gastrotheca cornuta in Costa Rica since it was last reported 21 yr ago. New populations of Agalychnis lemur (Critically Endangered) and Duellmanohyla uranochroa (Endangered) are reported, and Ecnomiohyla veraguensis (Endangered) is reported for the first time in Costa Rica. These findings show that this locality is a high priority conservation area for a large number of amphibian species, which are often threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Keywords. Biodiversity, Costa Rica, Endangered, Limón province, patterns of distribution, Tropical Wet Forest
Resumen
En anfibios, Costa Rica exhibe la mayor riqueza de especies por unidad de área en América Meridional con un total 215 especies documentadas a la fecha. Sin embargo, es probable que este número esté subestimado debido a la presencia de áreas inexploradas con difícil acceso. Entre 2012 y 2017, realizamos un monitoreo de anfibios en el Caribe Central de Costa Rica, en el borde norte de la Fila Matama en la Cordillera de Talamanca, para estudiar los patrones de distribución y la historia natural de las especies en esta región, particularmente aquellas consideradas en peligro por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN). Nuestros resultados muestran la mayor riqueza de especies de anfibios en los bosques perennes de tierras bajas de América Meridional, con una notable representación de anuros de 64 especies. La mayor diversidad en el área de estudio se encontró en el bosque maduro en el piso basal. Del total de especies, siete (10%) son endémicas de la vertiente Atlántico y ocho (11,6%) están amenazadas. Este es el primer registro de Gastrotheca cornuta en Costa Rica después de 21 años desde que se registró por última vez. Descubrimos nuevas poblaciones de Agalychnis lemur (en Peligro Crítico), Duellmanohyla uranochroa (en Peligro), y reportamos por primera vez Ecnomiohyla veraguensis (en Peligro) en Costa Rica. Nuestros resultados muestran que esta localidad es un área de alta prioridad para la conservación de una área de conservación de alta prioridad para una gran cantidad de especies de anfibios, que a menudo están amenazadas por la pérdida y fragmentación del hábitat. Palabras clave. Biodiversidad, Costa Rica, En peligro, provincia de Limón, patrones de distribución, Bosque Húmedo Tropical

Chaves-Acuña, W., Sandoval, L., Bitton, P. P., Barrantes, G., & García-Rodríguez, A
Abstract
Strawberry Poison Frogs (Oophaga pumilio) are common members of leaf litter lowland communities in Central America and exhibit several color morphs throughout their distribution. Color plays a determinant role during intra- and intermorph interactions in many insular populations, but little is known about the variation and perception of visual signals in mainland populations. In this study, we investigated color variation of four body parts—head, back, belly, and throat—in a bright red O. pumilio population of northeastern Costa Rica. We incorporated frog- and bird-specific visual modeling to evaluate the differences in color and brightness between the sexes, from the perspective of conspecifics and avian predators. Furthermore, we measured the color and brightness contrast against natural backgrounds commonly used by these frogs to forage and patrol within territories. Our results revealed that, from the perspective of conspecifics, there is no dichromatism between males and females. However, females had a greater contrast against green and brown backgrounds than males. The bird visual models indicated that males and females are highly conspicuous against common background substrates but that females are easier to detect than males. This study detailing color variants between sexes within a mainland population of O. pumilio contributes to our understanding of color differences in populations of this species.

Chaves-Acuña, W., Salazar-Zúñiga, J. A., & Chaves, G.
Abstract
Previous studies have reported egg attendance as the most common protective behavior among the Neotropical frog family Centrolenidae. However, research on the effect of parental care and other factors thought to affect offspring survival is still missing for a great number of species. Here, we performed field observations during day and night to associate male-only care, habitat characteristics, and environmental variables with egg clutch survival in the understudied glass frog, Hyalinobatrachium talamancae. We conducted 34 nest survival models for 39 egg clutches considering constant daily survival rates, temporal variation in the survival probability, and other biotic and abiotic variables thought to affect the survival of embryos. We found that egg attendance was strongly associated with egg clutch survival in H. talamancae. Our results showed similar degrees of parental investment during day and night, accounting for extensive caring periods over one or multiple clutches as paternal care did not hinder re-mating in this species. Egg clutches exhibited daily survival rates of 0.9360.02, often reaching pre-hatching stages when attended by males. Our results may thus suggest that egg attendance is a major, if not predominant, determining factor of embryo survival in H. talamancae. This study contributes to the understanding of the natural history associated with paternal care in H. talamancae and provides insight into the evolution of prolonged male-only care in the family Centrolenidae.

Acosta-Chaves, V., & Salazar-Zúñiga, J. A. (2013).

Chaves Acuña, W. J., & Salas Solano, D.
Abstract
On 22 August 2020, at ca. 1233 h, we observed an adult male H. festivus offer a nuptial gift to a female at Veragua Rainforest Preserve, in Las Brisas de Veragua, Limón, Costa Rica (9.9264°N, 83.1876°W; WGS 84; 420 m elev.). The nuptial gift was an adult Craugastor fitzingeri (Fitzinger’s Rain Frog), which the male lizard held in its mouth and had already killed. To our knowledge, this is the first instance of a food nuptial gift exchange in H. festivus, or for that matter in any reptile species (Olsson and Madsen 1998. In Birkhead and Moller [eds.], Sperm Competition and Sexual Selection, pp. 503–577. Academic Press, London). This is surprising because this behavior has not been noted before in H. festivus, a common and diurnal lizard that is easily observed. It is unclear how often or important nuptial gift giving is for male H. festivus mating success, but it does signal good hunting abilities of the male. The present work documents a courtship behavior in the form of nuptial feeding that is largely under-reported in reptiles when competing for mates.

Salas-Solano, D., & Chaves-Acuña, W.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe! 2023. Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology, 22(2), 195-201.

Chaves-Acuña, W. & Salas-Solano, D.

Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology, 23(1), 87-92.