Taxon Review: Glass Frogs

Abstract

The Centrolenidae family, nicknamed “glass frogs,” are a small but charismatic tree frog species native to Central American rainforests that are best known for their fascinating transparent skin. They have a variety of remarkable adaptations such as obligate male parental care, humeral spines used in combat, dry ovaposition sites, and their skin which exhibits “clutch mimicry.” They play a critical role as mesopredators, feeding on small insects and providing a food source for larger reptiles, arthropods, birds, and bats. Unfortunately, like many other frog species, a combination of climate change, habitat fragmentation, and chytrid fungus threatens the survival of this family.