Taxonomic notes: Section empty

This species occurs on the Pacific slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca of Costa Rica and extreme western Panama, from 880-1,524 m asl (Savage 2002). Its range, taken as a proxy for extent of occurrence (EOO), is estimated at 806 km².

It is moderately common in appropriate habitat. Recent survey work has been conducted at Las Cruces, Alfombra, and Tinamaste where the species has been recorded (G. Chaves and A. García pers. comm. 2013). It was recently observed in western Panama in Parque Internacional La Amistad (Hertz et al. 2012). The population is considered to be severely fragmented, with most subpopulations occurring in habitat patches isolated by urbanization or agriculture.

It is a nocturnal, stream-breeding species, present in humid montane forest and usually found along (and occasionally in) small streams and dense vegetation no more than one metre above the water.

There are no reports of this species being utilized.

The major threats to the species are the alteration of water flow in streams (for instance through hydroelectric projects), and general habitat destruction due to smallholder livestock ranching and more extensive agriculture (crops). Chytridiomycosis is also a potential threat to this species.

• 8.1.2 Named species
• 2.1.3 Agro-industry farming
• 3.3 Renewable energy
• 2.3.2 Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming
• 7.2.11 Dams (size unknown)

Although present in protected areas such as Parque Internacional La Amistad and the Las Cruces Biological Station (the latter is part of the Reserva de la Biósfera La Amistad), much of the habitat in the range of this species is fragmented and in need of further protection. Research is needed on current threats, population trends, and natural history of this species.

• 2.1 Site/area management
• 1.1 Site/area protection

Listed as Endangered because its extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be 806 km², most known subpopulations occur in habitat fragments, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat on the Pacific slopes.

• Duellman, W.E. 2001. The Hylid Frogs of Middle America. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Ithaca, New York, USA.
• Hertz, A., Lotzkat, S. Carrizo, A., Ponce, M., Köhler, G. and Streit, B.. 2012. Field notes on findings of threatened amphibian species in the central mountain range of western Panama. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 6(2): 9-30.
• Ibáñez, R., Solís, F., Jaramillo, C. and Rand, S. 2000. An overwiew of the herpetology of Panama. In: J.D. Johnson, R.G. Webb and O.A. Flores-Villela (eds), Mesoamerican Herpetology: Systematics, Zoogeography and Conservation, pp. 159-170. The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas.
• Savage, J.M. 2002. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between two Continents, between two Seas. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
• Young, B., Sedaghatkish, G., Roca, E. and Fuenmayor, Q. 1999. El Estatus de la Conservación de la Herpetofauna de Panamá: Resumen del Primer Taller Internacional sobre la Herpetofauna de Panamá. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia.