A previously unknown species of tree frog has been documented in the coffee-growing region of San Lorenzo de Tarrazú in Costa Rica's central Pacific zone. The amphibian measures less than 4 centimeters and displays a dark green-spotted appearance.
Scientists from the University of Costa Rica and Argentina's National Council for Scientific and Technical Research described the species, which is endemic to the country. Researcher Wagner Chaves-Acuna confirmed the discovery to AFP.
The frog has been nicknamed the "coffee frog" because it is active at night among coffee shrubs, where males produce a short, high-pitched call while their translucent throats inflate. It is also referred to as the "spring frog."
The amphibians do not consume coffee berries but feed on small insects found within the plantation habitat. They seek shade, moisture and prey in the crops, typical behavior for frogs in agricultural landscapes.
Chaves-Acuna warned that pesticide use on coffee plantations could pose a risk to the newly identified species. He explained that agrochemicals can travel through the air and seep into soil and aquatic systems where tadpoles develop.
The discovery adds to the known amphibian diversity of Costa Rica while highlighting the vulnerability of species that inhabit working agricultural lands.
Nocturnal 'coffee frog' discovered in Costa Rica
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