In living individuals from Costa Rica and Panamá west of the Canal Zone, the blue coloration on the flanks and thighs is much less conspicuous than in specimens from eastern Panamá. The color of the iris is variable, even in frogs from one locality. The coloration of the iris in 13 living frogs (now KU 92333-45) from Valle Hornito, Chiriquí, Panamá, was described as follows: "Iris variable--from pale to dark brown; in a few the iris has a golden cast to the brown; in a few others the lower half of the iris is pale gray with the upper half being light brown." (Charles W. Myers, field notes, April 24, 1965).
_Natural history._--_Smilisca sila_ inhabits the Pacific slopes of lower Central America where a pronounced dry season occurs. We have records of males calling in December through May and also in August (latter date from El Volcán, Chiriquí, Panamá). The breeding season seems to be correlated with the time of the year when the water is clear and at a low level in the streams where these frogs breed.
Males call from the edges of small, shallow streams, from rocks in the streams, or less frequently from vegetation overhanging the streams. Females are most frequently found on the banks of streams, and clasping pairs usually are in shallow pools in streams. One individual was found in a bromeliad about three meters above the ground in the daytime.
The breeding call consists of a low squawk, usually followed by a series of one or more rattling secondary notes (duration of primary notes, 0.06 to 0.28 seconds; of secondary notes, 0.14 to 0.48 seconds), repeated at intervals of 4 to 20 seconds. The primary notes have 97 to 120 pulses per second and major frequencies of about 900 to 2220 cycles per second (Pl. 11B).
Eggs were obtained artificially in the field; the average length of ten embryos in the neural groove stage is 2.4 mm., and the average diameter of the outer envelope is 4.9 mm. Hatchlings have large, conical oral discs, heavy gills, and a large amount of yolk; their average total length is 6.3 mm.
Tadpoles have been found in pools in clear streams; some tadpoles have been observed to cling by their mouths to rocks in the stream; others were found on the bottom where they seek refuge among pebbles or under rocks and leaves. A complete developmental series of tadpoles is not available. Eleven tadpoles in stage 25 of development have body lengths of 8.3 to 10.2 mm. (9.3 mm.), tail lengths of 17.3 to 21.0 mm. (18.8 mm.), and total lengths of 25.9 to 31.0 mm. (28.1 mm.). One tadpole in stage 41 and one in stage 42 have body lengths of 11.5 and 12.5 mm., tail lengths of 27.2 and 29.5 mm., and total lengths of 38.7 and 42.0 mm., respectively. The snout-vent lengths of two specimens in stage 43 and one in stage 45 are 12.7, 13.0, and 13.6 mm., respectively.