Centrolene prosoblepon

Nicaragua Giant Glass Frog

Boettger, 1892

Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Centrolenidae
Group: Prosoblepon

Description

Small species (typically 27mm-30mm). Dorsal coloration is uniform green, many times with black spots scattered throughout. Iris gold-silver with slight black reticulation. Males specimens have an evident hook along the anterior section of humeral bone. Extensive webbing between finger III-IV. Venter partially covered in white parietal peritoneum, thus allowing the view of the organs in the lower abdomen only. Organs lacking white lining.

Distribution

Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia and Ecuador.

Habitat & Ecology

This larger centrolenid is nocturnal and riparian (found in the vegetation above and near streams).

Reproduction

This species reproduces along streams on the vegetation along the banks. The males from this species establish territories along a chosen section of stream bank, and often move about the vegetation in the area producing advertisement calls. The advertisement calls are typically a three note series of high pitched "ticks". Male interactions often result in a type of wrestling match in which one or both specimens are hanging vertically only holding on by the tips of their toes. This species typically attaches its dark eggs to the surfaces of leaves near or over hanging the stream, but instances of attaching eggs to branches, and stones near streams has also been seen (pers. obs. 1997, 1998, 1999).

Conservation

Status: Not Listed, but habitat destruction threatens amphibians worldwide.

Other Comments

Information Pending

References

Frank, N., & E. Ramus 1996 A Complete Guide to Scientific and Common Names of Reptiles and Amphibians of the World. NG Publishing, 337 pp
Villa, J., Wilson, L.D., & J.D. Johnson 1988 Middle American Herpetology. Univ. of Missouri Press, 131 pp.

Other Available References from Amphibian Species of the World

Information Pending

Reference written by Brian Kubicki, Escuela de Biología,
Universidad Latina, San José, Costa Rica
Page last updated 10 January, 2001
Comments or Corrections: HerpsofPanama@ITEC-edu.org
Copyright © 1999-2001