Ranitomeya amazonica

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Also known as the "Amazon Dart Frog", Ranitomeya amazonica is a semi-arboreal species endemic to Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Peru.[1]

The IUCN classifies Ranitomeya amazonica as Data Deficient (DD) based on the most recent assessment for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2004.[2] In 2010, researchers recommended a conservation status assessment of Least Concern (LC).[3]

Ranitomeya amazonica
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Dendrobatidae
Genus: Ranitomeya
Species: amazonica
Binomial name
Ranitomeya amazonica
(Schulte, 1999)

Description[edit | edit source]

Adult Ranitomeya amazonica are between 0.63 in. and 0.75 in. (16-19 mm) and display red, orange, or yellow coloration with dark stripes running lengthwise down the body (though these stripes may be absent in the 'Arena Blanca' locality). The limbs are blue with small reticulated black spots.[4]

Locales[edit | edit source]

  • Arena Blanca
  • Blackwater
  • Iquitos
  • Red
  • Heirloom

Geographical Distribution[edit | edit source]

Ranitomeya amazonica occur in rainforests in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Peru where bromeliads are abundant.[5]

Reproduction[edit | edit source]

Male Ranitomeya amazonica will call near a laying site to attract a female. The female will deposit 1-6 eggs on the surface of the water, or just below the surface, in the axils of bromeliads. The tadpoles are transported by males to other axils where they feed on detritus or eggs provided by the mother or other Ranitomeya amazonica.[6]

Diet[edit | edit source]

Studies of wild feeding behavior are limited to tadpoles, which are phytotelmous, and known to feed on organic detritus, unfertilized eggs laid by their mother, or eggs of other frogs.[7]

File:Ranitomeya amazonica geo distribution.png
Amazon Dart Frog (Ranitomeya amazonica) geographical distribution[8]

Threats[edit | edit source]

  • Residential and commercial development
  • Agriculture and aquaculture

Calls[edit | edit source]

Males have short buzz-like calls that are relatively low. [9]

Conservation[edit | edit source]

Ranitomeya amazonica wild distribution is widespread. The species is numerous in captivity and is readily available in the pet trade.


References[edit | edit source]

  1. Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., De Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Loetters, S., ... & Summers, K. (2011). A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa, 3083(1), 1-120.
  2. Javier Icochea, Ariadne Angulo, Karl-Heinz Jungfer. 2004. Ranitomeya amazonica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T55172A11250249. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T55172A11250249.en. Accessed on 12 June 2024.
  3. Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., De Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Loetters, S., ... & Summers, K. (2011). A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa, 3083(1), 1-120.
  4. Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., De Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Loetters, S., ... & Summers, K. (2011). A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa, 3083(1), 1-120.
  5. Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., De Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Loetters, S., ... & Summers, K. (2011). A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa, 3083(1), 1-120.
  6. Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., de Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Lotters, S., von May, R., Melo-Sampaio, P. R., Mejia-Vargas, D., Perez-Pena, P., Pepper, M., Poelman, E. H., Sanchez-Rodriguez, M., and Summers, K. 2011. A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa 3083: 1-120.
  7. Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., de Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Lotters, S., von May, R., Melo-Sampaio, P. R., Mejia-Vargas, D., Perez-Pena, P., Pepper, M., Poelman, E. H., Sanchez-Rodriguez, M., and Summers, K. 2011. A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa 3083: 1-120.
  8. Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., de Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Lotters, S., von May, R., Melo-Sampaio, P. R., Mejia-Vargas, D., Perez-Pena, P., Pepper, M., Poelman, E. H., Sanchez-Rodriguez, M., and Summers, K. 2011. A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa 3083: 1-120.
  9. Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., de Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Lotters, S., von May, R., Melo-Sampaio, P. R., Mejia-Vargas, D., Perez-Pena, P., Pepper, M., Poelman, E. H., Sanchez-Rodriguez, M., and Summers, K. 2011. A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa 3083: 1-120.