Harlequin Poison Frog

Dendrobates histrionicus
Dendrobates histrionicus
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Suborder:	Neobatrachia
Family:	Dendrobatidae
Genus:	Dendrobates
Species:	D. histrionicus
Binomial name
Dendrobates histrionicus (Berthold, 1843)
Synonyms
Oophaga histrionica

The harlequin poison frog (or harlequin poison dart frog), Dendrobates histrionicus, is a species of poison dart frog with a native range from Western Ecuador to the El Chocó region of Colombia. The frog is normally found on the ground of tropical rain forests, among fallen limbs or leaf litter.

Physical description

Color morphs

The harlequin poison frog has a variety of color morphs, which differ from one valley to the next in its native range.^[1] The base color is a bright orange, with a webbing of black over the entire body. Of the color morphs, the base color may be of clear to dull orange, yellow, red, white, or blue. The web pattern varies from small lines to big lines or speckled, incomplete lines, or a completely black frog with just a few spots. The various color morphs can be found in surprisingly close proximity, with different colored populations on adjacent hillsides. The Bilsa Biological Station (operated by the Jatun Sacha Foundation) boasts three color morphs—red, yellow, and orange—within their 3,000 hectares (30 km²) protected area located within Ecuador's Mache and Chindul coastal mountain Ranges.

Life history

The harlequin poison frog larvae is an obligate egg-feeder. After a parent transports newly-hatched tadpoles to a tiny water reservoir (often in the axil of a Bromeliad), the mother returns periodically and lays unfertilized eggs, which the tadpoles feed on until ready to metamorphose and exit the water.

This rearing behavior makes harlequins among the most difficult poison dart frogs to raise in captivity. As a result, they are not widely found on the domestic pet market, and those available may be illegally smuggled imports rather than legally-bred domestic animals. Wild-caught dart frogs are often stressed, require more care, have a much higher fatality rate, and may also be toxic and dangerous to handle. A few domestically-bred animals are nevertheless available, and are highly sought-after in the pet trade.^[2]

References

1. ^ http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Dendrobates_histrionicus.html
2. ^ http://www.robbster.com/RobbHome/FrogPage/TabTop.asp?Tab=HISTOS

• Bolívar et al. (2004). Dendrobates histrionicus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

Media related to Dendrobates histrionicus at Wikimedia Commons

• Harlequin Poison Frog color morphs

This poison dart frog article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: IUCN Red List least concern species Poison dart frogs Amphibians of Colombia Amphibians of Ecuador Poison dart frog stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат? Tehtaan kenttä Imstar* Look at other dictionaries: Harlequin frog — is a non scientific name for any of several varieties of frog or toad, including the following:* Atelopus , a genus of South American toads * Harlequin Poison Frog ( Dendrobates histrionicus ), a species of South American poison dart frog …   Wikipedia Frog — For other uses, see Frog (disambiguation). Frogs Temporal range: Triassic–present …   Wikipedia Oophaga — sylvaticus …   Wikipedia List of endangered animal species — This is a list of endangered animal species according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List. The list includes endangered species of the kingdom Animalia. NOTOC A* Acheilognathus elongatus * Acipenser Endangered * Acrocephalus… …   Wikipedia Atelopus zeteki —   Rana Dorada Panameña …   Wikipedia Español Fauna colombia — Faune de Colombie La Colombie a le plus grand nombre d espèces par unité de surface sur la planète[1]. La faune colombienne est très diversifiée du fait de la variété de ses milieux géographiques (façade pacifique, Mer des Caraïbes, Cordillière… …   Wikipédia en Français Faune de Colombie — La Colombie a le plus grand nombre d espèces par unité de surface sur la planète[1]. La faune colombienne est très diversifiée du fait de la variété de ses milieux géographiques (façade pacifique, Mer des Caraïbes, Cordillère des Andes, forêt… …   Wikipédia en Français Declin des populations d'amphibiens — Déclin des populations d amphibiens Le crapaud doré (Bufo periglenes), a été un des premiers indicateurs du déclin des populations d’amphibiens. Considéré dans les années 1980 comme abondant dans son habitat au Costa Rica, il a été observé pour… …   Wikipédia en Français Déclin Des Populations D'amphibiens — Le crapaud doré (Bufo periglenes), a été un des premiers indicateurs du déclin des populations d’amphibiens. Considéré dans les années 1980 comme abondant dans son habitat au Costa Rica, il a été observé pour la dernière fois en 1989 …   Wikipédia en Français Déclin des populations d'amphibiens — Le crapaud doré (Incilius periglenes ), a été un des premiers indicateurs du déclin des populations d’amphibiens. Considéré dans les années 1980 comme abondant dans son habitat au Costa Rica, il a été observé pour la dernière fois en 1989[1]. Les …   Wikipédia en Français 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”