A tiny, nocturnal spring frog measuring less than four centimeters has been discovered in Costa Rica’s central Pacific region, according to field findings reported by researchers from the University of Costa Rica and Argentina’s National Council for Scientific and Technical Research. Also known locally as the coffee frog, the dark green-spotted amphibian thrives in coffee plantations in San Lorenzo de Tarrazu, where it faces emerging environmental risks from agricultural agrochemicals, according to researcher Wagner Chaves-Acuna.
Habitat and Physical Characteristics of the Coffee Frog
The newly identified tree frog is endemic to Costa Rica and spends its daylight hours seeking shade, moisture, and shelter among farm crops.
Male specimens possess a highly distinct physiological trait: a translucent throat sac that inflates during their territorial calls. “At night, when they are most active, you can hear them singing and perched on coffee shrubs,” said Wagner Chaves-Acuna.
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Agrochemical Risks Facing Amphibian Populations
Despite successfully adapting to cultivated farmland habitats, the coffee frog faces substantial survival threats from standard farming practices. Pesticides applied to local coffee fields can travel via air currents or seep directly into the soil, eventually contaminating the aquatic systems where female frogs lay eggs and tadpoles develop, according to warnings issued by Wagner Chaves-Acuna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the new spring frog discovered?
Researchers found the species in San Lorenzo de Tarrazu, located within Costa Rica’s central Pacific region.
Why is the amphibian called the coffee frog?
The species earned the nickname because it lives, hunts, and calls primarily from within coffee shrubs on local plantations.
What threatens the survival of the newly found tree frog?
According to researcher Wagner Chaves-Acuna, agrochemicals and pesticides used in coffee farming can drift through the air or leach into soil and aquatic habitats where tadpoles grow.
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