Natural history and intraspecific variation of the Ecuadorian Blue Glassfrog Cochranella mache Guayasamin & Bonaccorso, 2004

Abstract.– We present new information on the natural history and intraspecific variation of Cochranella mache GUAYASAMIN & BONACCORSO, 2004. It is a nocturnal species associated with small streams across primary and old secondary forests in the Cordillera Mache-Chindul, endemic to the Seasonal Evergreen forests of the West Ecuadorian Region. Intraspecific and sex-related variation is noted in several characters, including dorsal skin texture, expression of the dermal folds, cloacal ornamentation, expression of the supratympanic fold, and extent of iridophores on the hepatic peritoneum. Dramatic chromatic changes in life are reported, showing a unique pattern in Centrolenidae, its dorsal pattern changes from bluish-green with a dull yellow patch on the head and abundant yellow spots, to a lavender/light blue dorsum with a bright yellow patch on the head and abundant orange spots. In order to provide future researchers with useful information to characterize the species, we present a numbered diagnosis for Co. mache that includes all new information.

Cita / Citation: Cisneros-Heredia, D.F., Delia, J., Yánez-Muñoz, M.H. & Ortega-Andrade, H.M. (2008) Natural history and intraspecific variation of the Ecuadorian Blue Glassfrog Cochranella mache Guayasamin & Bonaccorso, 2004. Herpetozoa 21 (1/2): 57 – 66.

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