A Frog that Few Have Laid Eyes On
Here is a frog that few have ever laid eyes on – Legler’s Tree Frog (Ptychohyla legleri). This is one of the target species of RTPI Director Twan Leenders’ recent trip to the mountains of Costa Rica where he joined RTPI Research Associate Alex Shepack in surveys of imperiled amphibian populations. Legler’s Tree Frog is an endangered species with a very small and highly fragmented distribution range. It is the only species in its genus in lower Central America; its nearest relatives are found in northern Nicaragua and countries north of there. This recently metamorphed individual was found...
Read MoreGhost Glass Frogs!
Researchers from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI) have been monitoring these Ghost Glass Frogs and other amphibian species for more than two decades – not only to keep these frogs from extinction, but also to learn how the recovering populations were able to survive such catastrophic declines. Hopefully this information will help us as we try to find ways to help other endangered species as well. Stay tuned for more footage from our adventures in the tropics!
Read MorePitbull 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 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
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