New Frog Species Discovered in Costa Rican Coffee Plantations

A new species of Costa Rican tree frog, named Isthmohyla nacientes, has been discovered in the central Pacific region, researchers announced on August 8, 2026. This diminutive amphibian, measuring less than four centimeters, inhabits the unique environment of coffee plantations.

Scientists from the National University of Costa Rica (UNA) and the International Institute for Conservation and Wildlife Management (ICOMVIS) identified the species. The frog is characterized by its greenish hue, dark, irregular spots on its back, and yellow-orange extremities. Males possess a translucent throat pouch that inflates when they emit a short, sharp call.

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It is a new arboreal frog species for science and endemic to Costa Rica.

Dubbed the "rana de las nacientes" (frog of the springs) due to its habitat near rivers and streams, the species faces significant threats. Its reliance on coffee plantations exposes it to pesticides used in cultivation, posing a risk to its survival and serving as an alert for local biodiversity. Researchers noted that the frogs are most active at night, their calls echoing through the coffee bushes as they hunt small insects.

The discovery underscores the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica, even within agricultural landscapes. However, it also emphasizes the delicate balance between farming practices and wildlife conservation, highlighting the vulnerability of species like Isthmohyla nacientes to human activities.

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At night, when they are mainly active, you can hear them singing and perched on the coffee bush.