“Dedicated to the Biological Research and

Conservation of Costa Rican Amphibians”

A Crowned Tree Frog (Anotheca spinosa) peering out from a tree hole.

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 Text by: Brian Kubicki

Photography and Imagery by: Brian Kubicki (Unless otherwise noted in caption)

Version: 4.6 (February, 2nd, 2015)

Mailing Address: Apdo. 81-7200, Siquirres, Provincia de Limón, Costa Rica

Telephone: (506)-8889-0655, (506)-8841-5327
Web: www.cramphibian.com
Email: crarc@yahoo.com

Find us on Facebook: Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center

Cover Photo: Ghost Glass Frog (Sachatamia ilex), Quebrada Monge, C.R.A.R.C. Reserve.

How to Cite:

Kubicki, B. (2015) Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center, informational booklet version 4.6, Guayacán, Costa Rica, pp 57.

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I would like to extend you a warm welcome to enter into our world at the Costa Rican Amphibian
Research Center (C.R.A.R.C.). Before I get too involved with the aspects of the C.R.A.R.C., let me
first introduce myself.

My name is Brian Kubicki, I am the owner and founder of the C.R.A.R.C. I was born in Fargo,
North Dakota on May 20th, 1975. When I was just a few months old my family moved from a cattle
farm in Hawley, Minnesota (approximately 20 miles east of Fargo, ND), to Forest Lake, Minnesota
(approximately 20 miles west of the Minnesota-Wisconsin border in east-central Minnesota), where
I grew up in a rural environment. From a young age I was very drawn to the nature that
surrounded me and I spent much of my free time exploring it.

Since I can remember I had a special interest in fishes and amphibians. After graduating High
School in 1993 I became even more interested in tropical natural history and certain taxonomic
groups, among those Neotropical amphibians, and especially glass frogs of the family
Centrolenidae. I was fascinated with the species of this poorly known family, and focused much of
my energy trying to obtain more information about them via the available information published in
scientific journals. I soon ran into a wall regarding the information available on glass frogs, and I
was left with a deep hunger to know more. Back in those days there was relatively very little
information available on glass frogs. Not being satisfied with this I decided to take matters into my
own hands and I concluded the best way to fill this hunger for more knowledge was to travel to
Costa Rica.

Brian as a child, about 1983, collecting a mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) from a lake near his house.

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After obtaining scientific research permits from the Costa Rican government I made my first trip to
Costa Rica in August of 1997 for a three-week trip to conduct fieldwork with glass frogs. During my
short visit to Costa Rica in August of 1997 I fell in even more in love with the amphibians of the
country and decided that I wanted to further my understanding of them by moving there on a
permanent basis to dedicate my life to their scientific study. I moved to Costa Rica in 1998 and I
have been a permanent resident ever since.

Brian conducting a glass frog inventory during a light rain in a small lowland stream in the Limón Province, October 2010.

Since my arrival in Costa Rica I have dedicated my life, including thousands of hours of fieldwork,
to conducting biological research focused in the areas of alpha taxonomy, natural history,
biogeography, and conservation of Costa Rican amphibians. To this day one of my areas of
special interest continues to be with the glass frogs of the family Centrolenidae, but my studies
also encompass other families such as poison frogs (Family Dendrobatidae), tree frogs (Family
Hylidae), lungless salamanders (Family Plethodontidae), and New World direct-developing frogs
(terraranans). This research has resulted in various publications for both scientific journals and
popular magazines, including the description of new species, rediscovery of species, and authoring
two books for the Costa Rican National Institute of Biodiversity (INBio). These two books, which
were principally based off personal field experience, included original and previously unpublished
information on the Leaf-frogs of Costa Rica (2004) and Glass Frogs of Costa Rica (2007).

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Being a true naturalist, I also have many other interests apart from amphibians. These interests
include freshwater and marine fishes, marine invertebrates (especially reef building corals of the
order Scleractinia), birds, dendrology, botany, ecology, conservational biology, geography,
physical geography, biogeography, meteorology, climatology, and nature photography.

During my explorations throughout the country I discovered the impressive region of Guayacán de
Siquirres. Following this discovery in late 1999 I concentrated much of my time conducting alpha-
diversity amphibian studies in this area. After years of fieldwork and amphibian inventories,
Guayacán has proven itself to be the richest known site in Costa Rica in regards to amphibian
diversity with 66 species being documented (Kubicki 2008).

My goal, from the time I moved to Costa Rica, was to find a property rich in amphibian diversity
and establish a project focusing on their research and conservation. After much effort I was able
to purchase property in Guayacán de Siquirres in September of 2002 and dedicate it as a private
reserve to be used for research and conservation projects, thus the Costa Rica Amphibian
Research Center was born.

View of the Talamancan Mountains from Alto Guayacán

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Costa Rica is internationally recognized as one of the most biologically diverse countries on the
planet. Amphibians make-up a crucial part of this tiny countries’ biological diversity. Costa Rica
has 200 species of amphibians known from within its tiny 51,032 square kilometers territory. With
3.9 amphibian species per 1,000 sq. km. of national territory, Costa Rica is one of the richest
countries in the world regarding amphibian diversity density.

Amphibians are under constant threat by contamination, habitat destruction, climatic change, and
disease. The majority of Costa Rica’s amphibians are surrounded by mystery in regards to their
basic biology and roles in the ecology. Through detailed research many important aspects of their
biology and conservation can become better understood.

The Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center (C.R.A.R.C.) was established in 2002, and is a small
privately owned and operated biological research center dedicated to studying, understanding, and
conserving one of the most ecologically important animal groups of Costa Rica’s humid forest
ecosystems, that of the amphibians.

It was the first of its kind in Central America.

A male Red-eyed Stream Frog (Duellmanohyla rufioculis) in the C.R.A.R.C. reserve. Duellmanohyla rufioculis is one of numerous
amphibian species that are endemic to Costa Rica.

The C.R.A.R.C. was started to further biological studies and conservation efforts with Costa Rican
amphibians and one of their most vital habitats, that of the premontane rainforests of the
Caribbean slopes of the Talamanca mountains. Such research and conservation is crucial for
many species that are currently struggling to survive in the ever-changing environment.

Projects of the C.R.A.R.C. range from biological research in the areas of alpha-level taxonomy,
natural history, and biogeography to conservation projects such as reforestation, habitat creation,
and habitat rehabilitation. The research efforts are also being directed towards the goals of
publications, conservation methods, public awareness and education. One of the largest problems
facing our natural environments is the lack of awareness by the people who are directly linked to
them. Through continued research that results in increased public awareness our natural
environments may experience a brighter and more secure future, one that will allow for future
generations to enjoy and explore their incredible natural wonders.
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 Biological Reserves of the
Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center
The C.R.A.R.C. is based at our Guayacán Rainforest Reserve, which is nestled in the Caribbean
foothills of northeastern Talamanca, near the small town Guayacán de Siquirres. It is located nine
highway kilometers from Siquirres, right on the National Highway 10, which leads from the
Caribbean lowland city of Siquirres to Turrialba. It is easy to get to the center, being only two
hours from the Costa Rican capital of San José, ten minutes from Siquirres, 45 minutes from
Turrialba, and less than an hour from Puerto Limón. Access from these towns is along
blacktopped highways. Sorry, there are no dusty pothole-filled dirt roads.

Image showing the location of the C.R.A.R.C. and its two private reserves within the Republic of Costa Rica.

Small to medium-sized reserves owned and operated by private individuals or small organizations
can play a crucial role in the conservation of critical ecosystems and endangered species due to
more flexibility in land management policy and efficient utilization of financial resources.

The C.R.A.R.C. owns and operates two biological reserves. The first is known as the Guayacán
Rainforest Reserve, which is located in Guayacán de Siquirres. The second is known as the Río
Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve, which is located southeast of Turrialba in a remote region along the
Vereh River.

The land that comprises these two reserves was purchased and dedicated to private reserves due
to their biological diversity and conservation importance. The reserves are connected to large
sections of forest, which is crucial for the continued survival of the flora and fauna found within. It
is vital that a reserve connects to larger sections of healthy forest for metapopulation support and
continued genetic diversity by gene flow dynamics.

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 Guayacán Rainforest Reserve

Image showing the boundaries of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve

The original property of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve was purchased in September of 2002.
In March of 2008, we were able to purchase an additional smaller adjacent property, bringing the
total size of the reserve to 49 hectares.

Prior to being purchased in 2002, the land that made up the original C.R.A.R.C. reserve had a
mixture of land use. Roughly 5000 sq. meters (half a hectare) bordering the highway was planted
with coffee and bananas. To the east of the coffee and bananas there was a small section of
pasture, roughly 2 hectares in size, which was inhabited by four cows. Along the southern border,
towards the center of the property there was an additional section of roughly 2.5 hectares of
pasture. The remaining area was covered in mixture of secondary and old growth forest. After
purchasing the property in 2002, the cattle were removed, along with the majority of coffee and
banana plants. We immediately began the task of replanting native species of trees and
herbaceous plants on much of the disturbed areas. The previous owner had a permit to log a
section of forest, but we were able to obtain the property before any logging took place, and as a
result save that section of forest.

The smaller property bought in March of 2008 is primarily abandoned pasture and secondary
forest. There is a small strip of old-growth riparian forest along the Siquirres River. This property
has some important hydrology aspects, which include two small streams, and the catchment basin
of a small stream that starts near the southern boundary of the original C.R.A.R.C. reserve.
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 Topography of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve
The Guayacán Rainforest Reserve is situated on the northeastern edge of the Talamancan
Mountain Range, and due to this location at the base of such a significant massif it has varying
topography. The reserve’s overall altitude ranges from approximately 440–610 meters above sea
level (m.a.s.l.). Most of the extreme variation is due to the hydrologic history of the area, with the
roughest terrain being found along riparian areas such as the Siquirres River and the Ilex Stream.
Even with the moderately rough terrain of the reserve much of the area is still easily navigable by
foot due to the careful planning of our trail network.

The trail system was designed to use the contours of the reserve in one’s favor. We have built our
trails using the gradual contours to the best of our ability, but there are still some sections of the
reserve that will require a little sweat to arrive at. Several of the most interesting ecosystems are
easily accessible.

Topographic map of the 49 hectare C.R.A.R.C. Reserve. (Topo map made by Brian Kubicki, 2008)

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 Trails of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve

We have built over 3800 meters of trails on selected parts of the reserve. These trails are
important to reduce the impact of continuously walking through the forest. In areas of old-growth
forest the under-story plants can be extremely fragile, and may take years or even decades to
reach a mere meter or two. The trails were also created to facilitate moving to different sections of
the reserve on the western side of the Siquirres River. The section of the reserve that is found
east of the Siquirres River does not have any trail system due to attempting to limit access to this
portion of the reserve and in doing so reducing potential impact on the ecosystems and species
found there.
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Upper image shows the location of the trail network (yellow) within the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve. Blue lines represent streams and
rivers within the reserve. The image below shows the specific trails and their corresponding names.

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 Guayacán Rainforest Reserve Cabin

This photo shows the small cabin located at the forested pond site. This cabin was built
completely out of wood from the property. We utilized wind fallen trees for the lumber. This cabin
was created for the purpose of having a place to use for shelter during the unpredictable and often
rainy conditions present in Guayacán. The cabin is three meters wide, by five meters long. There
is an outhouse behind the cabin. The outhouse has a flushing toilet, and a running waterspout for
washing purposes. Rainwater is collected from the roof and is held in a 55-gallon barrel reservoir.
The photo below shows the proximity of the cabin to the pond.

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 Climate of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve

Guayacán has a mild temperature range, with very little seasonal variation. The average
temperatures range between a high of 25°–28°C, and a low of 18°–20°C. The diurnal
temperatures can vary within the reserve depending on forest coverage. The highest
temperatures are felt in the open areas on sunny days, where the increased solar energy causes
higher terrestrial heat radiation. During the daylight hours there can be as much as a 5°C
difference between the under story of dense forest and open areas.

The C.R.A.R.C. is located in one of the rainiest regions of Costa Rica; this is mainly due to its
position on the windward Caribbean slope, and what is known as the Orographic Lifting Effect. The
process of orographic lifting that affects the C.R.A.R.C. takes place in the following simplified
manner. Warm humid air comes off the Caribbean Sea and travels inland towards the
Talamancan Mountains. As the warm humid air hits the foothills it is forced upward. This upward
movement causes the air to expand due to decreased levels of atmospheric pressure. As the air
expands its temperature decreases, this is a process known as cooling by expansion. As the air
mass rises further the cooling continues, and eventually the air hits its humidity saturation point
and forms clouds. With the cooling increasing further the air gets supersaturated with moisture and
precipitation is the result. Once the air crosses the mountain divide it begins to sink and in doing
so heats up. This process is known as heating by compression due to the collision of air
molecules in the compressing air. As the air heats up it loses its moisture-saturated state, which
causes the leeward mountain slope to be drier by what is known as the rain shadow effect. This
orographic lifting phenomenon can easily be seen in Costa Rica by the general climatic differences
between the Caribbean and Pacific versants.

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 This simplified drawing shows the process of “Orographic Lifting”. Image by: Brian Kubicki.

The two maps below show the overall topography of Costa Rica (left) and the annual sunshine
hours (right). Notice the direct correlation with the cloudiest area (blue) on the map to the right and
how it relates to topography. This is another example of orographic lifting and its affect on Costa
Rica. “Annual Sunshine Hours” map (below right) courtesy of the Instituto Metereologico Nacional.

The C.R.A.R.C. receives an abundant supply of rainfall due to orographic lifting conditions and
convectional showers and storms. Guayacán gets an average annual rainfall of 5000–6000 mm
(rain gauge at the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center, 2004–2012). The area lacks a
prolonged dry season. In the months of April through October strong convectional showers and
thunderstorms occur with greater frequency. Storms producing lightning and thunder are for the
most part uncommon during the rest of the year. During the months of November, December,
January, and often lasting into February the rainfall can be much more continual during events that
are known as “temporales”. Temporales are caused by cold fronts coming from the north, and
their effect is directly linked to the Caribbean lowlands and slopes.

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 Average Monthly Rainfall at
the C.R.A.R.C. (2005-2010).

800
700
600
rainfall in mm 500
400
300
200
100
0
January

March

July

October
August

November

December
September
May

June
February

April

This map shows the average annual rainfall for Costa Rica. Courtesy of I.C.E. and the Instituto Metereologico Nacional.

The relative humidity in the region is high, with an average range from 75–100% throughout the
day and evening.

Strong Wind conditions are unusual to rare in Guayacán, but light breezes between 1–10 km/hour
often occur, especially in the afternoons or during changing weather fronts. The sections of
Guayacán that receive the highest air movement are the upper ridges, where light breezes are
commonly present.

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 Aquatic Resources of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve

Image of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve and its aquatic resources. Information generated by GPS tracking and positioning.

Due to the heavy annual rainfall in the region of Guayacán the reserve here is very rich in aquatic
resources. Such aquatic resources include swampy areas, ponds, seepages, springs, streams,
and the Siquirres River. Within the reserve there are 7 ponds, 16 (rivers, streams, seepages, and
springs), and several swampy areas. There are more than 3900 meters of riparian habitat found
within the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve. Several of the smaller streams, seepages, and springs
actually originate within the reserve’s boundaries.

The Guayacán Rainforest Reserve is located in the upper catchment basin of the Siquirres River
watershed, and in a protected area known as the “Zona Protectora Cuenca Río Siquirres”. All
streams, including the Siquirres River, originate within a distance of less than 1.5 kilometers of the
reserve. The upper section of the Siquirres River valley is a very important watershed and in 1995
the Costa Rican government declared 681 hectares in the headwater region as a protected area.
The Siquirres River has very clean high quality water, low in dissolved solids and nutrients, this is
one of the principal reasons it was chosen to supply the drinking water for the city of Siquirres.
The majority of the Siquirres River’s tributaries originate in forested areas.

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Aerial photo (1998) showing the Z.P. Cuenca Rio Siquirres (red),
and the location of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve (yellow).

18
Monge Stream at the union with the Siquirres River.

19
 A waterfall in the Siquirres River during normal conditions (left) and dry conditions (right).

Small cascade in the Ilex Stream. This stream is home to 6 species of glass frogs, and the very rare riparian tree frog Hyloscirtus palmeri

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Cascade in the Albomaculata Stream.

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Photos of Monge Stream.
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 Flora and Fauna of the of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve
In the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve two life zones are represented, that of Tropical Wet Forest,
and Tropical Premontane Rain Forest (Holdridge 1967). The areas within the reserve recognized
as Tropical Wet Forest are those with an altitude less than 500 m.a.s.l., whereas the areas with an
altitude greater than 500 m.a.s.l. are classified as Tropical Premontane Rain Forest.

Section of old-growth forest in the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve.

The abundant rainfall, stable intermediate temperatures, high relative humidity, and varied
topography at the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve create conditions that are favorable for a rich
diversity of flora and fauna. To date, few detailed surveys of the flora and fauna have been carried
out in the region of Guayacán, but such work is needed for biological and conservation awareness.
Having a low to intermediate altitude (average from 400–650 m.a.s.l.) Guayacán presents an
interesting assemblage of biological diversity. At these altitudes many plant and animal
assemblages of lowland and mid-elevation species overlap, and this plays a key role in the rich
biological diversity of the region. 66 species of amphibians have been documented in Guayacán,
making it the richest known site in Costa Rica for amphibian diversity (Kubicki 2008).

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 The above image shows forest coverage in Costa Rica (light green), and the location of the Z.P. Rio Siquirres (Red). The
image below shows the connectivity of protected areas between the Z.P. Rio Siquirres and the Panamanian Border.

The region of Guayacán has an impressive coverage of secondary to old-growth forest

communities. Large sections of relatively undisturbed old-growth forest are very accessible, and
this helps facilitate the area’s natural history exploration. Guayacán is located on the northeastern
edge of one the largest intact sections of forest in lower Central America, that of the Talamancan
Mountain Range of Costa Rica, and Central Mountain Range of western Panama. Another
interesting aspect of Guayacán is that it is one of the few accessible mid-elevation sections of the
Caribbean versant of Talamanca, which is likely the most biologically diverse region of Costa Rica,
but thus far remains highly unexplored.
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 Some Interesting Examples of Fauna Found on the Guayacán
Rainforest Reserve.

Two very rare species of scorpions have been found in the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve,
Chactas exsul (left) and Tityus cerroazul (right). The species C. exsul was rediscovered by Brian
Kubicki after nearly 50 years since its last collection. Tityus cerroazul was documented for the first
time in Costa Rica in 2005.

These interesting creatures, known as velvet worms, have their own unique phylum
(Onychophora). These prehistoric animals are believed to have remained relatively unchanged for
millions of years. The velvet worms are restricted to scattered regions throughout the tropical
latitudes of the world. Three phenotypically distinct forms have been found in the Guayacán
Rainforest Reserve, and it is assumed that all three represent separate species, but unfortunately
there exists very little literature regarding the identification of Costa Rican velvet worms. The
above images show two of the three that have been found within the reserve. The red velvet
worm, Peripatus solorzanoi, measuring up to 20 cm in length, is at times seen foraging among the
mossy rocks on the edges of streams at night. Peripatus solorzanoi was just recently described
as a new species in 2010. The velvet worm to the upper right has on rare occasions been seen
foraging on low-lying vegetation at night. The third species (or possible phenotype) that has been

25
found on the reserve is solid brown, and it is occasionally seen while looking through the leaf litter
or searching through the organic remains of rotten logs.

There is an impressive diversity of other types of invertebrates on the reserve, such as this interesting curculionid beetle and large terrestrial snail.

The diversity of vertebrates is equally impressive. Guayacán is also well known for its diversity of
reptiles, especially snakes, including many rare species such as the bushmaster (Lachesis
stenophrys). Nearly 70 species of reptiles have been recorded within the Guayacán Rainforest
Reserve. The reserve is also very plentiful in avian diversity, but thus far minimal efforts have been
invested in creating a detailed list of the species, but nonetheless our minimal efforts have resulted
in almost 200 species being documented within the reserve. Numerous species of mammals also
inhabit the reserve; among them are species such as ocelots, margays, white-faced and howler
monkeys, collared peccary, sloths, tayras, olingos, and kinkajous.

Bushmaster (Lachesis stenophrys) Eye-lash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii)

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Northern Ringed Snake (Rhinobothryum bovallii) Speckled Blunthead (Imantodes inornatus)

Brown Wood Turtle (Rhinoclemmys annulata) Male Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)

Male Rufous-winged Tanager (Tangara lavinia) Keel-billed Toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus).

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A female ocelot that was photographed by a motion camera on the reserve by the project Panthera.

A silky anteater (Cyclopes didactylus)

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 Amphibians of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve:
Herein we are following the familiar, generic, and specific arrangements of Amphibian Species of the World 6.0, November 2014.

Cochranella granulosa

Bolitoglossa striatula

29
 Number of Species

10
15
20

0
5
1
Caeciliid
ae

Dermop

1
hiidae

10
20
30
40
50
60
70

0
Guayacan
66

Plethod
ontidae

2
C.R.A.R.C.
53

Aromob
atidae La Selva B.S.

1
48

Osa
48

Bufonid
ae

3
Carara
40

Centrole
nidae

8
Rara Avis
38

30
Craugas Tortugero
33

toridae

10

Reserve.
Las Cruces
32

Dendro
batid ae

4
La Suerte
32

Eleuthe
rodacty
lid ae Penas
30

1
San Ramon
30

Hylidae
18

Santa Rosa
18

Leptoda
ct ylidae
2
Amphibian diversity at various sites in Costa Rica.

Representation of Species Diversity per Family

for the Class Ampibia at the Guayacan Rainforest
Ranidae
2
 Amphibian Species of the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve:

Order: Gymnophiona Prisitmantis cerasinus

Family: Caeciliidae P. cruentus
Caecilia aff. volcani P. ridens

Family: Dermophiidae Family: Dendrobatidae

Gymnopis multiplicata Dendrobates auratus
Oophaga pumilio
Phyllobates lugubris
Order: Caudata Silverstoneia flotator
Family: Plethodontidae
Bolitoglossa colonnea Family: Eleutherodactylidae
B. striatula Diasporus diastema
Family: Hylidae
Order: Anura Agalychnis callidryas
Family: Aromobatidae A. lemur
Allobates talamancae A. saltator
A. spurrelli
Family: Bufonidae Anotheca spinosa
Incilius melanochlorus Cruziohyla calcarifer
Rhaebo haematiticus Dendropsophus ebraccatus
Rhinella marina D. phlebodes
Duellmanohyla rufioculis
Family Centrolenidae Ecnomiohyla sukia
Cochranella granulosa Hyloscirtus palmeri
Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni Isthmohyla lancasteri
H. talamancae Scinax boulengeri
H. valerioi S. elaeochrous
Teratohyla pulverata Smilisca baudinii
T. spinosa S. phaeota
Sachatamia albomaculata S. sordida
S. ilex Tlalocohyla loquax

Family: Craugastoridae Family: Leptodactylidae

Craugastor bransfordii Leptodactylus melanonotus
C. crassidigitus L. savagei
C. fitzingeri Family: Ranidae
C. megacephalus Lithobates vaillanti
C. noblei L. warszewitschii
C. persimilis
C. aff. rearki

Total Species: 53

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 Caecilia aff. volcani Gymnopis multiplicata Bolitoglossa colonnea
Order: Gymnophiona Order: Gymnophiona Order: Caudata
Family: Caeciliidae Family: Dermophiidae Family: Plethodontidae

Bolitoglossa striatula Allobates talamancae Incilius melanochlorus

Order: Caudata Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Plethodontidae Family: Aromobatidae Family: Bufonidae

Rhaebo haematiticus Rhinella marina Cochranella granulosa

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae Family: Bufonidae Family: Centrolenidae

Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni Hyalinobatrachium talamancae Hyalinobatrachium valerioi

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Centrolenidae Family: Centrolenidae Family: Centrolenidae

Sachatamia albomculata Sachatamia ilex Teratohyla pulverata

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Centrolenidae Family: Centrolenidae Family: Centrolenidae

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Teratohyla spinosa Craugastor bransfordii Craugastor crassidigitus
Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Centrolenidae Family: Craugastoridae Family: Craugastoridae

Craugastor fitzingeri Craugastor megacephalus Craugastor noblei

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Craugastoridae Family: Craugastoridae Family: Craugastoridae

Craugastor persimilis Craugastor aff. rearki Pristimantis cerasinus

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Craugastoridae Family: Craugastoridae Family: Craugastoridae

Pristimantis cruentus Pristimantis ridens Dendrobates auratus

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Craugastoridae Family: Craugastoridae Family: Dendrobatidae

Oophaga pumilio Phyllobates lugubris Silverstoneia flotator

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Dendrobatidae Family: Dendrobatidae Family: Dendrobatidae

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 Diasporus diastema Agalychnis callidryas Agalychnis lemur
Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Eleutherodactylidae Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae

Agalychnis saltator Agalychnis spurrelli Cruziohyla calcarifer

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae

Anotheca spinosa Dendropsophus ebraccatus Dendropsophus phlebodes

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae

Duellmanohyla rufioculis Ecnomiohyla sukia Hyloscirtus palmeri

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae

Isthmohyla lancasteri Scinax boulengeri Scinax eleaochrous

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae

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 Smilisca baudinii Smilisca phaeota Smilisca sordida
Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae Family: Hylidae

Tlalocohyla loquax Leptodactylus melanonotus Leptodactylus savagei

Order: Anura Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae Family: Leptodactylidae Family: Leptodactylidae

Lithobates vaillanti Lithobates warszewitschii

Order: Anura Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae Family: Ranidae

Breeding
Order: Family: Species: Habitat: Activity: Mode: C.R.A.R.C. Status:
Gymnophiona Caeciliidae Caecilia aff. volcani D, S, P, F U L U
Dermophiidae Gymnopis multiplicata D, S, P, F N L U
Caudata Plethodontidae Bolitoglossa colonnea S, P, L N Lld C
B. striatula D, S, L N Lld O
Anura Aromobatidae Allobates talamancae S, P, T D Lla C
Bufonidae Incilius melanochlorus S, P, T N As U
Rhaebo haematiticus S, P, T, Rs N As U
Rhinella marina D, S, T N Ap C
Centrolenidae Cochranella granulosa S, P, L, A N Sv C
Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni D, S, P, L, A N Sv C
H. talamancae S, P, L, A N Sv R
H. valerioi S, P, L, A N Sv C
Sachatamia albomaculata S, P, L, A N Sv C
S. ilex S, P, L, A N Sv C
Teratohyla pulverata S, P, L, A N Sv C
T. spinosa S, P, L N Sv C
Craugastoridae Craugastor bransfordii D, S, P, T D, N Lld C
C. crassidigitus S, P, T, L N Lld C
C. fitzingeri D, S, P, T, L N Lld C
C. megacephalus S, P, T N Lld O
C. noblei S, P, T, L N Lld O
C. persimilis S, P, T D, N Lld O
C. aff. rearki D, S, T N Lld O
Pristimantis cerasinus S, P, T, L D, N Lld C
P. cruentus S, P, L N Lld U
P. ridens D, S, P, L N Lld C
Dendrobatidae Dendrobates auratus D, S, P, T D Lla C
Oophaga pumilio D, S, P, T D Lla C
Phyllobates lugubris D, S, P, T D Lla C
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 Silverstoneia flotator S, P, T, D Lla O
Eleutherodactylidae Diasporus diastema D, S, P, L, A N Lld C
Hylidae Agalychnis callidryas D, S, P, L, A N Pv, Tt C
A. lemur D, S, P, L N Pv C
A. saltator S, P, L, A N Pv U
A. spurrelli S, P, L, A N Pv C
Cruziohyla calcarifer S, P, L, A N Tt C
Anotheca spinosa S, P, L, A N T,Tt O
Dendropsophus ebraccatus D, S, P, L N Pv C
D. phlebodes D, S, L N Ap C
Duellmanohyla rufioculis S, P, L, Rs N As C
Ecnomiohyla sukia S, P, A N U (T?) R
Hyloscirtus palmeri S, P, L, Rs N As C
Isthmohyla lancasteri S, P, L, Rs N As C
Scinax boulengeri D, S, P, L, A N Ap R
S. elaeochrous D, S, P, L, A N Ap C
Smilisca baudinii D, S, P, L, A N Ap R
S. phaeota D, S, P, Aq, L N Ap C
S. sordida D, S, P, L, Rs N As C
Tlalocohyla loquax D, S, P, L, A N Ap C
Leptodactylidae Leptodactylus melanonotus D, S, Aq D, N Af O
L. savagei D, S, P, T D, N Af C
Ranidae Lithobates vaillanti D, S, P, Aq, T D, N Ap C
L. warszewitschii D, S, P, Aq, T, Rs D, N As C

KEY TO
SYMBOLS
INCLUDED FOR
EACH SPECIES
HABITAT:
D= Disturbed open habitats
S= Secondary forest
P= Primary forest
T= Terrestrial
R= Rotting trunks, and under moss mats
L= Low-lying vegetation (0-5 meters)
A= Arboreal (5+ meters)
F= Fossorial
Aq= Aquatic
Rs= Rocks in or near streams
Activity:
D= Diurnal
N= Nocturnal
U= Unknown
Breeding Mode:
Af= Aquatic foam nests
Ap= Eggs laid in the water of ponds
As= Eggs laid in the water of streams
Sv= Eggs laid principally on the vegetation overhanging streams
Pv= Eggs laid principally on the vegetation overhanging ponds
Lld= Eggs laid in the leaf litter, rotting trunks, or vegetation, and having direct development
Lla= Eggs laid in the leaf litter, and tadpoles are later carried to water
U= Unknown
T= Eggs laid in the water of tree holes
Tt= Eggs laid on the bark, wood, or vegetation above a water-filled cavity in a tree or trunk
L= Bearing live young
Status in the Reserve:
C= Common; sightings are frequent, and normally expected while visiting a species living or breeding habitat
O= Occasional; sightings are not expected on every visit to the species living or breeding habitat
U= Unusual; Sightings are unusual on a visit to the species living or breeding habitat
R= Rare; Sightings are exceptional

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 Río Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve

Image showing the boundaries of the Río Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve.

One of our priorities at the C.R.A.R.C. is the research and conservation of the amphibians within
the Premontane Rainforest life zone of the Caribbean slopes of Talamanca. This life zone is one
of the richest on the planet in regards to amphibians and other groups of flora and fauna. Our
Guayacán Rainforest Reserve is located in a key location on the lower margin of this life zone, so
we realized the importance to have an additional reserve on the upper margin of the Premontane
Rainforest life zone as a complimentary site to be used for our research and conservation efforts.
After an analysis of the physical geography and preliminary field explorations we focused our
searches in a specific region of the Talamancan mountains, that of the Vereh River valley. Until
now this general region has been completely unexplored biologically and undoubtedly has an
important diversity of not only amphibians, but flora and fauna in general that needs to be
documented. In July of 2014, thanks in part to a private donation, we were able to purchase a
property located in the cloud forests of the Vereh River valley and dedicate it as a second private
reserve of the C.R.A.R.C. known as the Río Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve.

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 Location of the Río Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve.

This image shows the connectivity of the Río Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve to other protected areas of the region.

Our plan in the upcoming years is to conduct detailed explorations and studies within the Rio
Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve and the surrounding region to better understand and document the
natural history of the area and what amphibian species are present there. This particular region is
potentially very important for many amphibian species that are poorly known and/or currently
classified as either Endangered or Critically Endangered. The mid-elevation Caribbean slopes of
Talamanca, where the Río Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve lies, is known to have one of the richest
assemblages of tropical salamander species on the planet. Studying the salamander diversity of
the Vereh River valley is going to be one of our principal priorities.

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 View of the cloud forest at the Río Vereh Cloud Forest Reserve and surrounding area.

The Vereh River.

The Vereh River valley has an abundant supply of streams that potentially contain numerous
species of amphibians associated with riparian habitats such as glass frogs and tree frogs of the
genera Isthmohyla and Duellmanohyla. Various species of the genus Isthmohyla are listed under
the IUCN Red List classification as Critically Endangered, and the Vereh River valley potentially is
home to several of these important and poorly understood amphibians.
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 Research and Conservation Projects of the C.R.A.R.C.
In view of the existing conditions of many natural areas in our world it is obvious that an active
approach to conservation is needed. Most natural areas have been greatly influenced by humans
for tens, hundreds, or even thousands of years.
At the C.R.A.R.C. we are actively involved in trying to restore or improve certain parts of our
reserves, and in doing so increase the vigor of the flora and fauna. The activities include things
such as planting native plant and tree species to increase not only biological, but also genetic
diversity, which is vital for long term survival; recovering or increasing the abundance of certain
tree and herbaceous plant species that are an important natural food source for animals in the
area; rehabilitating key terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that have been damaged by human
activity prior to being a biological reserve; creating terrestrial and aquatic habitats that have
become rare or were naturally rare due to specifics; eliminating non-native invasive species; and
reforesting severely damaged areas such as pasture or other historically mono-specific agricultural
zones.

Habitat Creation and Rehabilitation

These photos show an experiment involving the creation of artificial reproductive habitat for
Cruziohyla calcarifer in the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve. This species normally utilizes water-
filled cavities in fallen or standing trees for reproduction. Their highly specialized reproductive
mode targets a very limited reproductive resource in natural conditions. Our goal was to create
reproductive habitat in hopes to increase the vigor of native populations of C. calcarifer in the
reserve. This experiment was started in January 2003, and since than we have added numerous
artificial breeding tubs to strategic points within the reserve. We are proud to call our efforts a
success, with egg masses and dozens of tadpoles being seen on any visit to the sites. Numerous
generations of C. calcarifer have now been produced at these sites. Not only has C. calcarifer
been using these sites to breed at for more than ten years now, but additionally Agalychnis lemur,
resulting in a greatly increased population of this Critically Endangered species within the reserve
and adjoining forest.

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A male Cruziohyla calcarifer from an experimental reproduction site on the C.R.A.R.C. reserve.

A clutch of Cruziohyla calcarifer eggs overhanging one of the artificial reproductive sites.

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We have created numerous ponds on the Guayacan Rainforest Reserve, and this is just one
example. These photos show the before (upper left) and after (upper right and below) of the
cleaning and rehabilitation of a natural wetland. This wetland became filled in with sedge-peat by
grass growth when this site was cleared years before for cattle grazing. Before the forest was cut
this wetland was most likely an open-water forest pond community. We attempted to restore this
wetland’s original state by removing nearly a half-meter of sedge-peat from the aquatic area. This
peat removal was done with shovels and wheel barrels. We planted native aquatic and terrestrial
plants that are typically found in or near forest ponds in the region. We also carefully selected
plants that are utilized by amphibians and other animals for habitat or reproductive sites.
We made one large irregular shaped pond in this swampy area. This habitat was first modified in
November 2003, and since that time 13 species of frogs have been observed at the site
(Agalychnis callidryas, A. lemur, A. saltator, A. spurrelli, Tlalocohyla loquax, Dendropsophus
ebraccatus, D. phlebodes, Smilisca baudinii, S. phaeota, Scinax elaeochrous, Leptodactylus
melanonotus, L. savagei, and Lithobates vaillanti). The majority of these species were not
observed at the site prior to the habitat modification. Amphibians are not the only animals that are
using this new habitat; various species of mammals, birds, and reptiles are now commonly seen
here as well.

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The above photo shows one result of this pond’s rehabilitation. Hundreds of Agalychnis spurrelli
eggs are visible on the vegetation. This is just a small section of vegetation surrounding the pond.
During such breeding events hundreds of A. spurrelli adults can be seen at the site, and in the
following days thousands of eggs are often found attached to many of the available leaf surfaces
surrounding the pond.

A pair of Agalychnis spurrelli approaching the pond.

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 Captive Husbandry Research Laboratory
This lab was built, and in part has been maintained, thanks to the generous donations of several
public and private institutions, in addition to private individuals. The lab was built in 2005 for the
purpose of working with different amphibian species native to Costa Rica via captivity in order to
obtain a better understanding of their natural history and captive husbandry methodology. Since
the construction of the lab, we have been successful in keeping and breeding numerous species of
tree frogs (family: Hylidae), poison frogs (family: Dendrobatidae), glass frogs (family:
Centrolenidae), and lungless salamanders (family: Plethodontidae).

Photo showing the front of the laboratory.

Some of the terrariums in the front room of the laboratory.

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Having the ability to observe amphibians in captivity is of extreme importance for obtaining a better
understanding of their natural history. Due to the specialized biology and specific habitat
preference of many species it can be extremely difficult to make natural history observations in
situ. This has led to a large void in the understanding of the general biology in many amphibians.
In terrariums that closely resemble a particular species’ natural habitat many important biological
aspects can be observed and documented, potentially providing information that could be key in
their conservation.

A male Hyalinobatrachium valerioi guarding two egg masses in a terrarium at the C.R.A.R.C.

Neonate Anotheca spinosa that were bred and raised in the C.R.A.R.C. lab.
In 2008 we released 118 neonate A. spinosa in the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve.

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Although we have worked with numerous native anuran taxa in the lab since it was built, in 2012
much of our efforts have shifted focus to some of the lungless salamanders that are native to
Costa Rica. Our goal has been to gain a better understanding of the general biology of these very
secretive amphibians, while at the same time developing captive husbandry guidelines that are
highly important in case the need for any ex situ management plans develop in the future. Very
little attention or effort has been invested in working with any of the nearly 300 species of
Neotropical salamander species in captivity. Costa Rica is home to 49 salamander species, many
of which are endemic.

Some neonates from one of several captive breeding events with Bolitoglossa striatula in the lab.

Our efforts with salamanders have principally been with two common species in our Guayacán
Rainforest Reserve (Bolitoglossa colonnea and Bolitoglossa striatula), and the Costa Rican moss
salamanders of the genus Nototriton. Costa Rica has eight species of moss salamanders that are
distributed within the cloud forests of the Caribbean slopes of the country. All eight species of
Costa Rican moss salamanders are currently known to be endemic to Costa Rica.

Nototriton abscondens, one of the moss salamander species being studied and bred in the lab.

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In 2013 we were awarded $4700 through an Amphibian Ark Seed Grant to help with our efforts to
study the biology and generate information regarding the captive husbandry of Neotropical
salamanders. Our grant project was entitled “Ex situ methodology building for Neotropical caudates,
with a special emphasis on three species of Costa Rican Moss Salamanders of the genus Nototriton.”

The image above shows the experimental system that we designed and built especially to house and breed moss salamanders within the lab. This
system has a specialized environmental control system to provide the physical parameters that these salamanders are adapted to living in.

After hundreds of hours of fieldwork concentrated on moss salamanders throughout Costa Rica,
including detailed observations of their particular habitats, we had the tools to attempt recreating
these conditions within captive parameters. Additionally, we obtained important data regarding the
physical parameter dynamics in their microhabitats both in the wild and in our experimental system
through the use of dataloggers. Our experimental system has proven to be successful in allowing
us to obtain the first known breeding events within captivity for any species of moss salamander.
We have now bred in captivity several of the moss salamander species native to Costa Rica.
Despite our initial success, there is still much to be learned about these very poorly known species.

A juvenile Nototriton abscondens that was bred and raised in the lab.

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 Moss salamander (Nototriton abscondens) eggs produced in the lab.

Two groups of moss salamander eggs (Nototriton gamezi) produced in captivity in the lab.

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 Taxa Specific Research and Conservation Projects
in the Field

In 2007 the Glass Frog Research and Conservation Project was initiated by the
C.R.A.R.C. in attempt to gather updated information regarding the alpha-level taxonomy, natural
history, distributions, and status Costa Rica’s glass frogs.

The current phase of the project is a detailed nation-wide census to quantify the actual distributions
and status of the species native to the republic of Costa Rica. Following the nationwide census,
future phases of the project will encompass a detailed review of the alpha-level taxonomy and
natural history of Costa Rica’s glass frogs.

Costa Rican Glass Frog Census:

The Costa Rican Glass Frog Census is being accomplished by conducting field surveys throughout
Costa Rica. Thirteen species of glass frogs have been documented from within the Republic, but
little is known regarding their current distributions and status. It is vital to obtain a comprehensive
understanding of the current distributions and overall abundance of Costa Rica’s glass frog
species to better understand their status and possible conservation needs.

Sachatamia ilex (left) and Cochranella euknemos (right)

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The methodology of the census work involves attempting to obtain the most balanced sampling
logistically possible throughout Costa Rica from sea level to 2000 meters. The red dots on the map
represent the nearly 200 sites that were surveyed personally by Brian Kubicki from 2011 to 2014.
The end goal is to have conducted census work on at least 400 streams throughout Costa Rica.
With nearly 200 stream surveys completed as of December 2014, we are slightly below half way
towards our goal. It is estimated to reach the mark of having 400 streams surveyed it will take
several more years of fieldwork.

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With all the species of amphibians known from within Costa Rica, one poorly known or little
thought of region stands out for its impressive concentration of richness, the central Caribbean.
The central Caribbean slopes and lowlands of Costa Rica host a mega biological diversity due in
part to the convergence of three distinct biotypes: the Central Volcanic Mountain Range,
Talamancan Mountain Range, and the Santa Clara Lowlands. Unfortunately owing to the difficult
access of much of the region, it also remains one of the least studied of Costa Rica, but likely
harboring the highest concentration of species. More detailed field studies are needed to fully
understand the current diversity, abundance, and distribution of species within the central
Caribbean.
Starting in 1999, I concentrated much effort trying to document the amphibian richness in the small
region of Guayacán. Prior to starting my amphibian inventories, 31 species were known from
within the region via deposited specimens in the Museum of Zoology at the University of Costa
Rica. Following nearly 10 years of detailed field surveys, in addition to the help from a few locals, I
increased that number to 66 species, resulting in Guayacán being recognized as the richest site in
Costa Rica for amphibian diversity (Kubicki 2008).
Following my work and the publication on the amphibian diversity of Guayacán, I realized the
importance of broadening the range of the field inventories to encompass more habitats and
altitudes, and further the knowledge of the species within. I came up with the idea for a project
known as the “Central Caribbean Amphibian Inventory Initiative” and put it into action in 2012.
The goal of this project is to generate concurrent data regarding the presence and distribution of
species in this region through field inventories. Following a serious field inventory effort throughout
the region, data on the species found at the different sites will allow for an analysis justifying the
need to possibly implement in situ or ex situ conservation action plans. According to my research
into the historical collection data available from within the region, in addition to further species I
have found during my efforts, more than 130 species have inhabited the Central Caribbean region.
Of these 130 species, nearly 30 are categorized by the IUCN Red List as either “Critically
Endangered” or “Endangered”. Due to the fact that most of these collections took place prior to the
1980’s it is unknown whether or not many are still present. During initial inventory efforts in the
region, I have already found numerous populations of important amphibian species, all of which
are from previously unknown sites. The potential of this project to add to the knowledge of the
amphibians of Costa Rica, and put into action possible conservation projects cannot be
underestimated.

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The study region for the Central Caribbean Amphibian Inventory Initiative (red outline). Below and above are
some examples of amphibian species native to the central Caribbean region.

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 Review of the Taxonomy, Natural History, and Distributions of Costa
Rican Moss Salamanders (Genus: Nototriton).

An individual of Nototriton major that we discovered during our research explorations. This species was only known from one individual ever collected, the
holotype, prior to our rediscovering it for the first time back in 2013.

Since 2012 we have dedicated hundreds of hours exploring the cloud forests along the Caribbean
slopes of Costa Rica to study the eight species of tiny moss salamanders currently known to be
endemic to the country. Our goals are to conduct an alpha-level taxonomic review of the species
and additionally increase the knowledge into the their natural history and actual distributions. Moss
salamanders are considered to be one of most the poorly understood groups of herpetofauna in
Costa Rica (Savage 2002).

Brian Kubicki and Aura Reyes taking a break from searching for moss salamanders
to have lunch in a patch of Talamancan Cloud forest.

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 Conservation of the Critically Endangered Lemur Leaf Frog

The C.R.A.R.C. has been conducting successful wild population management for the Lemur Leaf
Frog (Agalychnis lemur) in the Guayacan Rainforest Reserve for over a decade. This Critically
Endangered species is currently only known to exist at a handful of sites in Costa Rica and
Panama, and there are only two known metapopulations of A. lemur remaining in Costa Rica. One
of the two known and remaining poulations of this species in Costa Rica is within the C.R.A.R.C.’s
Guayacan Rainforest Reserve. We need to do all that we can to preserve the known remaining
Costa Rican populations of this beautiful and extremely rare species.

A pair of A. lemur in amplexus on the reserve (left), and a couple A. lemur egg masses on a leaf overhanging one of the reserve’s tubs (right).

A new collaborative effort between the C.R.A.R.C., University of Manchester, and Nordens Ark,
known as the Lemur Leaf Frog Project, is attempting to further efforts our with the conservation of
this species. The goals of this project are to conduct in situ management efforts within the
C.R.A.R.C. reserves by continuing to create and manage breeding habitat, in addition to studying
and monitoring the populations’ long-term sustainability.

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 How you can help support our
research and conservation efforts
All our research and conservation efforts are made possible through funds generated by our
visitors and private donations. We do not receive any financial support through the Costa Rican
government for our research and conservation efforts. If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica,
please consider coming to visit us and stay a couple nights in our guesthouse. For the price of
$US 80 per person per night you will be able to stay in our guesthouse, and receive a two to three
natural history hour tour each night of your stay within the reserve. The natural history tours are
led by Brian Kubicki, the founder and owner of the C.R.A.R.C. Despite the natural history tours
having an emphasis on amphibians many additional aspects of the general natural history of the
region will also be discussed, it is a unique learning experience for any naturalist.

Images of the C.R.A.R.C. Guesthouse at the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve.

If you are not able to come visit us personally, please consider possibly making a donation to
support our efforts via the donation button found on our website. Any and all donations are greatly
appreciated. For more information on how you might be able to help support our research and
conservation efforts please contact us directly as well.

Thank you for your support and interest in our work with the amazing
amphibians of Costa Rica!!!

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Cited Literature:

Holdridge, L. R. (1967) Life zone ecology. Tropical Science Center, San Jose, Costa Rica. 124 pp.

Kubicki, B. 2004. Ranas de hoja de Costa Rica, Leaf-frogs of Costa Rica. Editorial INBio, Santo Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica.

Kubicki, B. 2007. Ranas de Vidrio Costa Rica Glass Frogs. Editorial INBio, Santo Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica.

Kubicki, B. 2008. Amphibian diversity in Guayacán, Limón Province, Costa Rica. Brenesia, Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, 69, 35-42pp.

Savage, J.M. 2002. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, U.S.A. 934 pp.

The green-striped glass frog Hyalinobatrachium talamancae

Telephone: (506)-8889-0655, (506)-8841-5327,

Mailing Address: Apartado Postal 81-7200, Siquirres, Limón Province, Costa Rica
Email: crarc@yahoo.com Web: www.cramphibian.com
Facebook: cramphibian

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