Pitbull Katydid
While we head into winter we will be bringing you more green scenes and wildlife – occasionally at the same time – from the tropics, as is tradition here at RTPI. Our staff carries out several active research and education initiatives in Central America. Our partners and affiliates conduct some fantastic and important conservation work there as well. We always end up with some terrific media that showcases the splendid variety of life these nations hold. This is the Pitbull Katydid as photographed a few years back by RTPI President Twan Leenders while in Panama. As Twan said they...
Read MoreBlack-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops)
This is the Black-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops), a species more often heard than seen. It has a beautiful song, so nice in fact it is in danger from the pet trade. This was actually a surprise find one morning because we were at a site lower in elevation that they’re normally found. These birds are endemic the the highland forests of Costa Rica and Panama preferring elevations of over 750 meters to reside in. When not out singing, it’s a species that can be found skulking around, feeding on berries in lower vegetation. Most likely the reason it being found at a lower...
Read MorePowdered Glass Frog (Teratohyla pulverata) Eggs
Bloop! Powdered Glass Frog (Teratohyla pulverata) eggs at the Cocobolo Nature Reserve in Panama as photographed by RTPI President Twan Leenders.
Read MoreWeb-footed Salamander (Bolitoglossa medemi)
While we’re on the match stick theme – here’s another non-flashy stunner from last week’s Panama trip. Tropical salamanders also breed through direct development, skip a free-swimming larval stage, and hatch as mini versions of their parents – just like the miniature rain frog I posted earlier this week. This young web-footed salamander (Bolitoglossa medemi) is also spectacularly tiny! Twan Leenders RTPI President
Read MoreCraugastor Froglet
I returned earlier this week from a quick, wet and successful research trip to the rainforests of Eastern Panama and thought I’d share the least flashy of our finds with you all. Rain frogs of the genus Craugastor breed through ‘direct development’ — a reproductive strategy that does not involve a free-swimming tadpole stage. Their eggs are terrestrial and the young hatch as fully-formed tiny froglets – and by tiny, I mean TINY… Twan Leenders RTPI President
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