Scarthyla vigilans (Solano, 1971)

Size (Adult Frog)

Scarthyla vigilans is a small species of frog, with a maximum snout–vent length of 21 mm (0.8 in).

Body and Head Shape

Its body is elongated and slender, the head matches the body in width and is longer than it is wide, and the snout is long and tapering to a point.

Eye and Tympanum Features

The eyes are moderately large and protruding, and the tympanum is distinct, though it is partially covered by a diffused supratympanic fold.

Limb Structure

Its fingers and toes are slender, each ending in a small round disc; the fingers have no webbing, while the toes are webbed.

Nocturnal Coloration

At night, this frog is lime green with indistinct stripes, and its ventral body parts are transparent.

Diurnal Coloration

Its coloration becomes more contrasting during the day.

Male Vocal Features

Males have a single subgular vocal sac, and their advertisement call is very low in intensity and resembles a cricket chirp, so it is often mistaken for one.

Tadpole Morphology

Tadpoles of this species have a short, globular body and a moderately long tail, reaching a maximum total length of 32 mm (1.3 in).

Habitat

Scarthyla vigilans lives in open lowland environments, including flooded grasslands, degraded areas with low vegetation, and shallow standing water.

Breeding Habitat

It breeds in standing water and swamps.

Elevation Range

It occurs up to around 600 m (2,000 ft) above sea level, though most documented populations are found at lower elevations.

Observability Traits

It is a very common species, but it is nocturnal, small, and hard to spot.

Call Masking

Its call is relatively quiet and easily masked by the calls of other frog species.

Conservation Status

It is an adaptable species that faces no known threats, and it occurs within several protected areas.