New nocturnal frog species found thriving in Costa Rican coffee farms
Researchers have identified a tiny, night-active tree frog living in coffee plantations of Costa Rica’s central Pacific region.
A team of biologists has documented a new tree-frog species, measuring under 4 cm, in the central Pacific area of Costa Rica. Found in the coffee fields of San Lorenzo de Tarrazu, the frog—referred to as the “spring frog” and nicknamed the “coffee frog”—exhibits a distinctive translucent throat in males that inflates when they emit short, high-frequency calls at night. The species prefers the shade and moisture of coffee shrubs, preying on small insects rather than the coffee fruit.
Researchers from the University of Costa Rica and Argentina’s National Council for Scientific and Technical Research confirmed its endemic status. They cautioned that agrochemical use on coffee crops could infiltrate soils and waterways, endangering the frog’s aquatic larval stage.
Why it matters
The discovery highlights biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and raises concerns about pesticide impacts on newly identified species.
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