Lithobates vibicarius

{{Short description|Species of amphibian}} {{Speciesbox | image= | status=EN | status_system=IUCN3.1 | status_ref =<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group |date=2020 |title=''Lithobates vibicarius'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T58746A54352894 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T58746A54352894.en |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> | taxon = Lithobates vibicarius | authority=(Cope, 1894) | synonyms= *''Rana vibicaria'' <small>Cope, 1894</small> *''Rana godmani'' <small>Günther, 1900</small> }}

'''''Lithobates vibicarius''''', commonly known as either '''green-eyed frog''' (after its green eyes)<ref name=STRI/> or '''Rancho Redondo frog''' (after its type locality in Costa Rica),<ref name=STRI/><ref name=frost/> is a species of frog in the family Ranidae from highland rainforests in Costa Rica and western Panama.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" /><ref name=STRI>{{cite web |url=http://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/amphibians/en/species/144 |title=''Lithobates vibicarius'' |work=Amphibians of Panama |publisher=Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute |access-date=15 February 2015}}</ref><ref name=frost>{{cite web |url=http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Anura/Ranidae/Lithobates/Lithobates-vibicarius |title=''Lithobates vibicarius'' (Cope, 1894) |author=Frost, Darrel R. |year=2014 |work=Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 |publisher=American Museum of Natural History |access-date=15 February 2015}}</ref><ref name=BCC>{{cite web |url=http://atta2.inbio.ac.cr/neoportal-web/species/Lithobates%20vibicarius |title=''Lithobates vibicarius'' |author=Luis Humberto Elizondo C. |author2=Federico Bolaños V. |year=2014 |work=Biodiversidad de Costa Rica |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad |access-date=15 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215055810/http://atta2.inbio.ac.cr/neoportal-web/species/Lithobates%20vibicarius |archive-date=15 February 2015 }}</ref>

==Description== ''Lithobates vibicarius'' are relatively large frogs, {{convert|6|-|9|cm|abbr=on}} in snout–vent length.<ref name=BCC/> Dorsal colouration is variable: golden, greenish, or dull brown; juveniles are usually green. There are at least some darker markings on the dorsum of most individuals. The dorsolateral folds typically have black linings on the outer edges. A black face mask is typical. The upper lip has white lining. The iris is green. Feet are extensively webbed.<ref name=STRI/>

==Reproduction== Breeding may occur throughout the year but is concentrated to the early parts of the rainy season.<ref name=STRI/> Calling and mating take place at night. Males generally call from vegetation in water.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" /> The call is a low, harsh trill. Eggs are laid in large, round gelatinous masses in shallow bodies of water,<ref name=STRI/> attached to the vegetation.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />

==Habitat and conservation== ''Lithobates vibicarius'' is a semi-aquatic frog found in lower montane and lower portions of montane rainforest. They prefer dense woods, but may also be found near water in clearings or pastures.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />

''Lithobates vibicarius'' was once very common in Costa Rica, but has almost disappeared; only three populations are known at present. Surveys in Panama have failed to find the species. This decline is believed to be mainly due to the disease chytridiomycosis, although habitat loss and agricultural chemicals may also have played a role. The IUCN now lists it as endangered.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

Category:Lithobates Category:Amphibians of Costa Rica Category:Amphibians of Panama Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Category:Amphibians described in 1894 Category:Taxa named by Edward Drinker Cope