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.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Pristimantis moro
Moro Rain Frog
(Savage, 1965)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A very small arboreal frog featuring a moderately robust body with long, slender limbs and expanded digital pads. The dorsal skin is finely texture-granular to nearly smooth, displaying variable coloration from pale tan and greyish-brown to deep reddish-brown, often adorned with dark bands on the limbs and a subtle interorbital bar. Its striking eyes are large, with a golden-bronze upper iris and a distinctive dark horizontal pupil.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Other Names (Global)Regional and multilingual names used for this species across different countries and languages.
Rana moroMoro rain frogRanita de lluvia de Moro
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).Strabomantidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Pristimantis
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Savage, 1965)
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.
Unknown
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Wet Season
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
Primarily restricts its distribution to humid premontane wet forests and lower montane cloud forests, ranging from 500 up to about 1,200 meters in elevation. It is strongly associated with undisturbed, pristine dense primary forest ecosystems, making frequent use of moss-laden tree trunks, epiphytic plant growth, and understory broadleaf bushes.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Exclusively nocturnal and predominantly arboreal. During daylight hours, it stays hidden within tightly furled leaves or epiphytic moss beds. At night, it moves actively to high or low perches on vegetation, hunting for minute crawling insects.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Highly solitary lifestyle. Social engagement is limited to auditory interactions in the rainy season when adult males produce rapid, high-pitched mechanical clicks or short chips from leafy perches to claim space and signal to females.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Arboreal micro-arthropod predator and nocturnal canopy insectivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Acts as a minor arboreal predator, utilizing an opportunistic insectivorous diet that relies on small beetles, ants, fruit flies, and tiny mites. It is targeted by carnivorous invertebrates, nocturnal tree frogs, and specialized arboreal snakes.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Features non-aquatic terrestrial reproduction with direct embryonic development. Following courtship on wet leaves, the female deposits a tiny clutch of large, unpigmented eggs inside humid epiphyte root masses or leaf folds, completely omitting the free-swimming larval stage.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
1.5 - 2.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.8 g - 3.2 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.10 - 22
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.
8 - 12 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
28 - 42
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males2 - 4 Years
Females2 - 5 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males are notably smaller, reaching average snout-vent lengths between 1.5 and 1.9 cm. They possess a single subgular vocal sac used to vocalize during rain events.
Females Multi-lang
Females are distinctly larger and more full-bodied, growing up to 2.5 cm in length. They lack vocal sacs or slits and possess a broader abdomen modified for carrying relatively large egg clutches.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Features expanded, specialized digital adhesive pads on fingertips that allow efficient scaling, climbing, and secure inverted positioning on smooth, damp broadleaf forest foliage.
Cryptic skin pigmentation patterns seamlessly match forest mosses, tree bark textures, and epiphyte growth, providing excellent concealment against sharp-eyed nocturnal predators.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Vulnerability to rapid microclimatic desiccation of humid canopy environments caused by structural forest fragmentation, logging, and global climate shifts.
Habitat destruction for small-scale agricultural development and high potential sensitivity to infectious fungal outbreaks like chytridiomycosis.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
This diminutive species bypasses aquatic larval development entirely; females deposit clutches in moist vegetation sites where embryos transform directly into fully formed mini-froglets.