|
|
Family: Hylidae
Fringe-limbed Tree-frog, more...Heredia Treefrog (es: Rana, Rana Voladora)
[Hyla fimbrimembra Taylor, 1948] |
Adult: Species description based on Duellman (2001) and Savage (2002). A large treefrog, males to 79 mm, females to 92 mm. Dorsal: The dorsal surface is a lightish brown, with darker brown markings in the groin and on the upper surface of the hind legs. The dorsal surface has some small bumps. Ventral: The ventral surface is lighter brown, sometimes with a lavender hue and some cream-colored markings, and granular. Concealed surfaces: The rear surface of the thighs are tan. Eye: The iris is coppery brown. Extremities: The hands and feet have extensive brown webbing. Fingers and toes end in large terminal discs characteristic of treefrogs. The tips are darker than the rest of the hands and feet (Taylor 1948). Skin folds (dermal fringes) are present on the limbs. Tadpole: The tadpole is known from a single individual (Savage 1981). The tadpoles of this species grow very large (77 mm total length, Savage 2002). Tadpoles have a typical oval-shaped body, with a very long tail and low tail fins (Savage 2002). Tadpoles have two upper and three lower teethrows (Savage 2002). Metamorph juvenile: Juvenile coloration resembles lichens--patterned with various shades of green, yellow, and brown (Savage 2002). The eye of juveniles is reddish-orange (Savage 2002). Habitat: Montane rainforest from 750 to 1900 m. Ecology: Little is known about this rare species, which appears to inhabit forest canopy (Savage 2002). Type locality: Isla Bonita (The American Cicnona Plantation), on the Caribbean slope of Volcán Poas, Costa Rica |