New Species of Glass Frog in Costa Rica Puts Innards on Display

A new species of frog that has a glass-like underbelly translucency and texture, has been discovered in Costa Rica.

Experts from Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center reported finding the new species of 'Glass Frog' after collecting three specimens from areas located 400 to 900 meters above sea level from the Caribbean slopes of Costa Rica. Sightings of glass frogs are rare given that the last reported find from the country was in 1973.

The new specie was confirmed based on its genetic distance from other glass frog species, morphology and its advertisement call. The specie has been named Hyalinobatrachium dianae, according to the research center.

"With the addition of H. dianae, Costa Rica is known to have 14 glassfrogs inhabiting its tiny national territory," the center mentioned on its website.

Given the amphibian's clear skin, researchers were able to observe minute details of internal organs to describe in the journal Zootaxa.