Narrow-mouthed Frogs (Microhylidae)
These frogs are found in the New World, Asia and Africa, they tend to have short snouts, rounded bodies and stout legs. They have protrusible tongues that can be flipped laterally, where most other tongue-flipping species must orientate their bodies towards their prey. In Panama members of this family are ground-dwelling species that spend much of their life underground, coming to the surface to breed in pools after heavy rains, leading to the production of free-swimming, suspension-feeding tadpoles.
Nelsonophryne aterrima
Conservation Score: 39 (moderate priority)
Status in Wild: Listed as least concern due to wide distribution.
Status in Captivity: None.
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador (100-1,600 m).
Habitat: Lowland and montane forest floor under logs and debris.
Reproduction: Larvae develop in swamps and forest floor puddles.
