Vanishing act.

Cinchona plantation tree frog (Isthmohyla rivularis)

Cinchona plantation tree frog (Isthmohyla rivularis)

Cute Frog of the Week: August 8, 2011

It is very rare that a frog is thought to be extinct only to be once again discovered years after hope for the survival of the species had evaporated. The Cinchona plantation tree frog (Isthmohyla rivularis) performed its great disappearing act in Costa Rica. It could no longer be found in its rainforest habitat in Monteverde by 1989 and Las Tablas by 1993. In 2008, scientists unexpectedly found several males and a female; and with that the cinchona plantation tree frog had seemingly magically reappeared.

It is no wonder such a long time passed between sightings. These tiny golden brown frogs hide themselves among the dense vegetation around and in fast-flowing rainforest streams. Males only give hints to their whereabouts at night when they call from vegetation around the water. The Cinchona plantation tree frog is not only difficult to find, but many of its behaviors are also mysterious. Two of the frogs have never been observed mating in the wild, nor have eggs ever been found in the wild—only tadpoles.

Photo by Andreas Hertz via ARKive.

Every week the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project posts a new photo of a cute frog from anywhere in the world with an interesting, fun and unique story to tell. Be sure to check back every Monday for the latest addition.

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/