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Family: Strabomantidae
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Adult: Species description based on Ryan et al (2010). A small frog (males to 20.4 mm, females to 37.7 mm). Dorsal: The dorsum ranges in color from light tan to medium brown. Rows of small, dark tubercles form lines and chevrons on the back and bars on the upper surfaces of the thighs. Some individuals are a more distinct brown middorsal stripe or blotching. The dorsal surface is smooth. Ventral: The ventral surface is whitish. Some faint brown coloration may be present on the undersides of the extremities. Concealed surfaces: In some individuals, the lateral surface is covered in slightly raised creamy yellow bumps (see Ryan et al 2010 for an excellent photograph). The groin and thigh coloration does not contrast with that of the rest of the body. Eye: Eye color varies. In some individuals, the eyes are uniform grey, red or yellow. In other individuals the upper half of the eye is red or yellow-orange, and the lower half is dark grey or purplish. The pupil is horizontal. Extremities: The discs at the end of the fingers and toes are more ovoid than round. Egg: Clutches of 15-20 eggs are laid on leaves in the forest. Hatching occurs after 24-28 days (Ryan et al 2010). Tadpole: Pristimantis educatoris develops directly and has no tadpole stage. Ecology: This species lives in the forest, and is often encountered on low vegetation at night (Ryan et al 2010). Behavior and communication: Females brood clutches of eggs by sleeping on top of them (Ryan et al 2010). An late-stage clutch that was not being attended by the female hatched when disturbed by Ryan et al (2010), suggesting that these embryos may hatch to escape threats. Type locality: just below the Continental Divide on Atlantic slope; Parque Nacional G. D. Omar Torrijos H., Cocle,Panama (8 degrees 39.59 N; 80 degrees 35.55 W; 709-m elevation...approximately 8 km north of El Cope, Cocle Province, Panama |