Isthmohyla debilis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isthmohyla debilis |
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Hyla debilis Taylor, 1952 |
Isthmohyla debilis is a very rare type of frog that belongs to the Hylidae family. It lives in the rainforests of Costa Rica and western Panama. You can find it on the Atlantic side of the Central and Talamanca mountain ranges in Costa Rica. It also lives on the Pacific side in southwestern Panama. Some people call this frog the Isla Bonita treefrog. This name comes from "Isla Bonita" in Costa Rica, which is where this frog was first discovered.
About the Isla Bonita Treefrog
Male frogs are about 30 millimeters (1.2 inches) long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, around 32 millimeters (1.3 inches). This measurement is taken from their snout (nose) to their vent (bottom). The frog's snout is quite long and rounded. It has a clear eardrum, called a tympanum, but part of it is covered by a fold of skin.
The frog's fingers have small, flat pads at the end. They are also about one-third webbed, meaning there is skin between the fingers for about a third of their length. Its toes have pads that are similar in size to those on its fingers. The toes are about two-thirds webbed.
The frog's back is a dull green color with tiny black spots. Its sides turn white with black spots. A dark brown stripe runs through its eye, with a lighter stripe above it. The frog's upper lip is white. Most of these frogs also have a white spot right below their eye. Their eyes have a coppery color.
Where the Frog Lives and Why It's Endangered
The Isthmohyla debilis frog lives in the lower parts of cloud forests. These forests are found high up in the mountains, between 910 and 1,450 meters (about 2,985 to 4,757 feet) above sea level. This frog is an arboreal species, which means it lives in trees. However, it usually stays on low plants that hang over small mountain streams, not far from the water. The baby frogs, called tadpoles, grow and develop in these streams.
Sadly, the number of Isthmohyla debilis frogs has dropped a lot. It is now very rare and might even be gone from Costa Rica. While people still see them in Panama, they are becoming harder to find. Many of the places where these frogs were seen before are protected areas, like the Fortuna Forest Reserve in Panama.
Scientists think the main reason for their decline is a disease called chytridiomycosis. This is a serious fungal disease that affects amphibians like frogs. Other threats to the frog include losing their homes. This happens because of farming, cutting down trees (logging), and people building new settlements.
See also
In Spanish: Isthmohyla debilis para niños
