Costa Rica Species
Allobates talamancae
AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.ApprovedCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting

Allobates talamancae

Talamanca rocket frog

Cope, 1875

Detailed Texts Multi-lang
Small ground frog, brownish in color with dark lateral bands. It is known for its terrestrial behavior and association with streams in forested areas.

Added by

Anonymous Curator

Reviewed by

Julia Trouin

Last modified by

Julia Trouin

TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.

PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Amphibia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Anura
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Aromobatidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Allobates
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Cope, 1875
Record Completeness
94%
Coming soon

Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.

OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.

Native

Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.

Stable

Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.

Year Round

Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.

Carnivore

Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.

Yes

Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang

Inhabits the floor of humid lowland and foothill forests, frequently in the Talamanca region and adjacent areas in Costa Rica and Panama.

BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang

Diurnal and strictly terrestrial, rarely found far from the ground.

Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang

Territorial males that use calls to attract females and defend their space.

Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang

Active surface hunter during the day.

Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang

Diet based on small leaf litter invertebrates, mainly ants and mites.

Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang

Reproduction with parental care: the father guards the eggs and transports the larvae.

Physical Measures

Length (cm)

1.5 - 2.5 cm

Weight (Grams)

1 g - 3 g

Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.5 - 12
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes

Lifespan

Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.

1 Years

Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).

15 - 20

Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males--
Females--

Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.

Males Multi-lang

Generally smaller and with more intense coloration.

Females Multi-lang

Larger size and more robust, especially in the abdomen.

Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang

Specialization in transporting tadpoles from the terrestrial nest to flowing water bodies.

Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang

Threatened mainly by habitat loss due to deforestation and contamination of water sources.

Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang

Although they are not as toxic as their Dendrobatidae relatives, these frogs show highly developed parental care behavior.