Adult: Species description based on Ibanez et al (1999), Duellman (2001) and Savage (2002). A small yellow treefrog. Males to 24 mm, females to 28 mm. Dorsal: The dorsal surface is yellow, with faint, brownish lines. Lines often connect to form an X shape. A dark bar is also usually present between the eyes on top of the head. Upper surface of thighs barred. Ventral: The ventral surface is white or cream, except for the throat, which is yellow. Concealed surfaces: Concealed surfaces of thighs plain yellow. Distinguishing characteristics: A dark lateral eye stripe. This stripe is not bordered by a thin white line as in D. microcephalus. Eye: Iris light bronze. Extremities: Foot webbing is extensive, but hand webbing is not. Fingers and toes end in enlarged discs.
Breeding season: Frogs congregate in shallow ponds with dense vegetation (Duellman 2001). Breeding occurs sporadically throughout the rainy season (Savage 2002). Breeding is usually concentrated on nights after heavy rains, but not the night of a heavy rain (Duellman and Fouquette 1968). Egg: Eggs are laid in small clutches that float near the surface of the water (Duellman 2001, Savage 2002). Tadpole: Tadpoles are tannish-red flecked with some brownish markings (Duellman 2001). A dark stripe extends laterally the length of the body (Duellman 2001). The ventral surface is white or cream with dark mottling (Duellman 2001). The tail generally has little color, except for some grey pigmentation (Duellman 2001).
Habitat: Lowland forest to 620 m. Also common in open areas (e.g., pastures). Call: A "wreek" or "creek" followed by a variable number of "eeks" (Ibanez et al 1999, Duellman 2001, Savage 2002). Males also produce aggressive calls (Ibanez et al 1999). Behavior and communication: Males are not particularly aggressive, but will engage in aggressive interactions with conspecifics as well as the closely related D. ebraccatus and D. microcephalus (Schwartz and Wells 1984). Type locality: Boca de Arenal, Cantón de San Carlos, Provincia de Alajuela; 55 m (Costa Rica)