Continental Divide Treefrog
CR

Continental Divide Treefrog

Isthmohyla graceae

Declining

Photo: Photo: (c) Edgar Abel Toribio Pèrez, all rights reserved, uploaded by Edgar Abel Toribio Pèrez

Overview

The Continental Divide tree frog is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in Panama and possibly Costa Rica. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rivers, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Isthmohyla graceae faces severe population decline primarily due to the devastating chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) that has decimated amphibian populations across Central America. Habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in Costa Rica's montane forests has further reduced available breeding sites. Climate change is altering the cool, moist conditions this species requires, with rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns affecting both the frogs and their fungal pathogen dynamics.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits cool, humid montane forests of Costa Rica, typically found near streams and in vegetation along waterways at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. It requires pristine forest conditions with stable moisture levels and clean water sources for breeding.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in HYLIDAE

VU

Maracas Heart-tongued Frog

Phyllodytes tuberculosus

Declining
VU

Papallacta Treefrog

Hyloscirtus psarolaimus

Declining
VU

Scinax rupestris

Unknown
CR

Nyctimantis pomba

Declining

Threatened in Costa Rica

EN

Passiflora chimuensis

Unknown
EN

Palicourea brenesii

Unknown
EN

Baird's Tapir

Tapirus bairdii

Declining
CR

Mespilodaphne paradoxa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Continental Divide Treefrog classified as Critically Endangered?
Continental Divide Treefrog is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Isthmohyla graceae faces severe population decline primarily due to the devastating chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) that has decimated amphibian populations across Central America. Habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in Costa Rica's montane forests has further reduced available breeding sites. Climate change is altering the cool, moist conditions this species requires, with rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns affecting both the frogs and their fungal pathogen dynamics.
Where does Continental Divide Treefrog live?
Continental Divide Treefrog occurs in Costa Rica, and Panama. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Continental Divide Treefrog?
The main threats to Continental Divide Treefrog are 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 3.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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