Phyllobates aurotaenia
Phyllobates aurotaenia | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Dendrobatidae |
Genus: | Phyllobates |
Species: | P. aurotaenia
|
Binomial name | |
Phyllobates aurotaenia (Boulenger, 1913)
| |
Synonyms[2] | |
Dendrobates aurotaenia Boulenger, 1913 |
Phyllobates aurotaenia is a member of the frog family
Wild specimens store batrachotoxin in glands in their skin, which can be fatal to humans in doses as small as 100 µg.[5] The unique lethality of their poison is a trait often exploited by certain Native American peoples of Colombia for hunting.[4] The members of this species are characterized by: black dorsums, sometimes covered by orange suffusions; green, yellow, orange, or brownish gold dorsolateral stripes; and black abdomens with blue or green dots. The name Phyllobates aurotaenia is currently applied to two forms: a smaller, large-stripe form and a larger, small-stripe form. These forms are separated by a ravine yet retain the ability to interbreed.[4] The number and range of P. aurotaenia is declining, primarily due to loss of habitat, and is currently classified as
Range and habitat
P. aurotaenia is found in the wet forests of the
As a vivarium subject, this frog is an active animal that will make use of vertical space. Kokoe dart frogs are highly social frogs that require high humidity, cool temperatures, and larger prey items than many dart frogs.
Mating
P. aurotaenia usually performs
These frogs do not engage in wrestling behavior among each other as do many other dart frogs. Males vying for a female will face off, calling loudly until one backs down. Unlike the other Phyllobates species, these frogs will not breed in coconut shells; they prefer to lay their eggs inside a narrow tube (small film canisters or nut pods) on the ground. Female P. aurotaenia lay their clutch of eggs, averaging 15-20, in leaf-litter and the male takes the tadpoles to slow-flowing water after the eggs hatch.[1]
Toxicity
P. aurotaenia is one of the most lethal species of the
Although wild frogs are extremely deadly, frogs raised in captivity are generally non-toxic.
Value
P. aurotaenia is one of three species known to be used for poisoning darts; the others being P. terribilis and P. bicolor.
References
- ^ . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Phyllobates aurotaenia (Boulenger, 1913)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- ^ George, A.B. (1913). "On a collection of Batrachians and reptiles made by Dr. HGF Spurrell, FZS, in the Choco, Colombia". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 48 (4): 1019–1038.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Silverstone, PA. (1976). "A revision of the poison arrow frogs of the genus Phyllobates Bibron in Sagra (Family Dendrobatidae)". Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Science Bulletin. 27: 1–53.
- ^ PMID 4329451.
- PMID 6836257.
- PMID 3321567.
- ^ Daly, J.W.; Garraffo, H.M.; Myers, C.W. (1997). "The Origin of Frog Skin Alkaloids: An Enigma?". Pharmaceutical News. 4 (4): 9–14.
- ^ S2CID 30642213.
- ^ S2CID 34040679.
- ^ Myers, C.W.; Daly, J.W.; Malkin, B. (1978). "A dangerously toxic new frog (Phyllobates) used by Emberá Indians of Western Colombia, with discussion of blowgun fabrication and dart poisoning". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 161: 307–366.