Osteocephalus sangay

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Osteocephalus sangay, the Sangay casqued tree frog, is a frog in the family Hylidae. It lives in eastern Ecuador, in Morona Santiago province, and has only been found in Sangay National Park.

It belongs to the Osteocephalus buckleyi group and is closely related to Osteocephalus cannatellai. Adult males are about 40.3–41.3 mm long from snout to vent, while adult females are about 45.3–52.8 mm. The back can be green or brown and may have keratin bumps or dark marks. The legs and body are light brown with darker markings, and there is a large dark brown mark on the head. The sides of the head have a cream stripe. The skin around the eyes is yellow. The tympanum (ear area) is green or dark brown. The flanks can be light green, cream, or brown with brown or black marks. The belly skin is brown with darker or lighter marks. The pupil has an olive-green ring, and the iris is bronze with black patterns.

The name “sangay” comes from Sangay National Park, from the Shuar word samkay, meaning “volcano.” This frog has been found only in primary forest within the park, at elevations of 1,551 to 1,795 meters above sea level. It has been seen at night perched on plants about 2 meters above the forest floor.

Biologists think it may have young that develop in streams, but as of 2022 no eggs or tadpoles have been observed. It has only been seen in Sangay National Park, and scientists do not yet know if it is endangered. Habitat loss could threaten it, especially if individuals live outside the protected park.