Dendropsophus phlebodes (Stejneger, 1906)

Common Name and Taxonomy

Commonly known as the San Carlos treefrog, Dendropsophus phlebodes (Stejneger, 1906) is a small, sturdy frog species.

Size

Females reach a snout–vent length of 28 millimetres (1.1 in), while males are slightly smaller.

Head Morphology

This species has a blunt snout, a wide head, and a tympanum that is partially concealed by a fold of skin.

Male Vocal Structure

Males have a single vocal sac in the throat and a pair of vocal slits, and the male’s vocal sac turns yellow during the breeding season.

Foreleg Morphology

The fore-legs are short; the long, slender fingers have large flattened pads at their tips.

Hindleg Morphology

The hind legs are short but powerful; the long toes are partially webbed and have expanded tips.

Dorsal Skin and Coloration

The skin on the dorsal (upper) surface is smooth, pale brown with faint darker patterning.

Ventral Skin and Coloration

The ventral (lower) surface is granular and white, blending into cream and yellow on the inner thighs.

Iris Coloration

The iris is yellowish-bronze.

Similar Species Confusion

Dendropsophus phlebodes is sometimes confused with other species in the same genus.

Distinguishing Features from Related Species

It can be distinguished from Dendropsophus ebraccatus by D. ebraccatus’s characteristic hourglass pattern on its back, and by the shorter primary calling notes of D. phlebodes.

Activity Pattern

The San Carlos treefrog is a nocturnal lowland species.

Geographic Distribution

It is found in Pacific northwestern Colombia (Chocó and Risaralda Departments) and Panama, as well as on the Atlantic slopes of Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.

Natural Habitat and Breeding Location

Its natural habitat is humid forest, where it breeds in shallow pools.

Elevational Range

It generally does not occur at elevations greater than 700 metres (2,300 ft) above sea level.

Modified Habitat Occurrence

It can also often be found in cultivated land, swampy meadows, and drainage ditches.