Ranitomeya variabilis
Also known as "Zimmermann's Poison Frog", Ranitomeya variabilis is a semi-arboreal species endemic to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru.[1]
The IUCN classifies Ranitomeya variabilis as Least Concern (LC). Wild populations are abundant and are considered stable.[2]
| Ranitomeya variabilis | |
|---|---|
File:Ranitomeyavariabilis.jpeg Ranitomeya variabilis (©) Diego Deza | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Dendrobatidae |
| Genus: | Ranitomeya |
| Species: | variabilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Ranitomeya variabilis | |
| Zimmermann and Zimmermann, 1988 | |
Description[edit | edit source]
Adults are between 0.66 in. and 0.7 in. (17.1-18.1 mm). Adult frogs display coloration on a gradient from the snout to rear, going from yellow-green to blue-green. R. variabilis have a single nose spot with large, oval spots on their back. Their limbs are blue-green with small black spots.[3]
Locales[edit | edit source]
- Borja Ridge
- French Guiana
- Highland
- Peruvian Gold
- Rio Napo
- Rodyll
- Southern
- Varadero
Geographical Distribution[edit | edit source]
This species occurs in lowland, premontane, and old-growth forests in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru where bromeliads are abundant.[4]
Reproduction[edit | edit source]
Male R. variabilis will call near a laying site to attract a female. The female will deposit 3-6 eggs in the axils of bromeliads. The tadpoles are transported by males to other axils where they can feed, often on eggs and tadpoles of other R. variabilis, and Ranitomeya species.[5]
Diet[edit | edit source]
Studies of wild feeding behavior are limited to tadpoles, which are phytotelmous, and known to feed on organic detritus, small invertebrates like mosquito larvae, eggs of other frogs, or even cannibalistically feed on other tadpoles.[6]
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Threats[edit | edit source]
- Residential and commercial development
- Agriculture and livestock farming
- Trapping for use in the pet trade
Calls[edit | edit source]
Males have short buzz-like calls that are relatively low. [8]
Conservation[edit | edit source]
R. Variabilis wild distribution is widespread. The species is numerous in captivity and is readily available in the pet trade.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Ranitomeya variabilis (Zimmermann and Zimmermann, 1988)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History.
- ↑ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2023. Ranitomeya variabilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023: e.T55207A85886856. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T55207A85886856.en. Accessed on 07 May 2024.
- ↑ AmphibiaWeb 2023 Ranitomeya variabilis: Variable Poison Frog <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/6117> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed May 7, 2024.
- ↑ Brown, J. L., Morales, V., and Summers, K. (2008). ''Divergence in parental care, habitat selection and larval life history between two species of Peruvian poison frogs: an experimental analysis.'' Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 21, 1534-1543.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Masche, S., Zimmermann, H., & Pröhl, H. (2010). Description and Ecological Observations of the Tadpole of Ranitomeya variabilis (Anura: Dendrobatidae). South American Journal of Herpetology, 5(3), 207-211.
- ↑ Zimmermanns' Poison Frog (Ranitomeya variabilis) geographical distribution, IUCN - https://iucnredlist.org/fr/species/55207/85886856
- ↑ Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Morales, V., and Summers, K. (2008). Phytotelm size in relation to parental care and mating strategies in two species of Peruvian poison frogs. Behaviour, 145, 1139-1165.