Costa Rica's Recently Discovered "Coffee Frogs" Sing in Plantations, but Pesticides Threaten Them
Researchers say the tiny nocturnal frog is endemic to Costa Rica and may be threatened by pesticides that contaminate soil and water.
- A new species of small, nocturnal tree frog has been discovered in Costa Rica's central Pacific region by researchers from the University of Costa Rica and Argentina's National Council for Scientific and Technical Research.
- Measuring less than four centimeters, the dark green-spotted amphibian is nicknamed the 'coffee frog' or 'spring frog,' with researchers observing it in San Lorenzo de Tarrazu.
- Males feature a translucent throat that inflates during high-pitched calls. "At night, when they are most active, you can hear them singing and perched on coffee shrubs," researcher Wagner Chaves-Acuna said.
- Feeding on small insects, the frogs seek shade and moisture within coffee plantations rather than targeting the berries themselves. Generally, this habitat provides necessary resources for the species.
- Pesticides used in farming pose a potential risk to the frogs by contaminating soil and water. "These poisons travel through the air…they seep through the soil and that's where they enter the aquatic systems," Chaves-Acuna said.
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She was confused for decades with another species; recent genetic, morphological and acoustic analyses confirmed that this is another amphibian
He can sing and is nocturnal: in Costa Rica, researchers discover a new Froschart. She lives on coffee plantations, but does not feed on the plants. With a maximum size of four centimeters, the tree frog is tiny.
Researchers have discovered this amphibian in the vicinity of coffee plantations in Costa Rica. However, the species may be threatened by the use of pesticides in plantations, according to scientists. - A new species of amateur coffee frog discovered in Costa Rica (Environment).
Meet Costa Rica's tiny 'coffee frog,' a nocturnal species found living among coffee shrubs
A remarkable discovery in Costa Rica reveals a diminutive nocturnal frog inhabiting the coffee plantations. Measuring less than four centimeters, this unique species relies on small insects for food and foliage for protection. Essential to its lifecycle are local streams, which face risks from pesticide runoff. This finding not only emphasizes the rich biodiversity in agricultural settings but also the urgent need for conservation initiatives.
Nocturnal ‘coffee frog’ discovered in Costa Rica plantation
A tiny, greenish, noctural frog that thrives in coffee plantations has been discovered in Costa Rica’s central Pacific region, where it also faces risks from agrochemicals used in farming.Measuring less than 4cm and known as the “spring frog,” Agence France-Presse reporters observed the dark green-s
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