CENTRAL / SOUTH AMERICAN POISONOUS FROGS

Epipedobates tricolor

Family: Dendrobatidae Genus: Epipedobates Species: tricolor Common Names Phantasmal Poison-Arrow Frog , Phantasmal Poison Frog Countries Ecuador, Peru
	Species Distribution Map	Photo copyright Shin Sugiyama

Taxonomy and Biology

Adult length: 17mm

Description

Highly variable in colour and pattern. Head and body dorsum and flanks varies between reddish, orange or reddish brown, pale to dark brown to black with a white, cream or yellow, usually broad and complete, vertebral stripe usually extending from the snout tip to the posterior body and a pair of white, cream or yellow dorsolateral stripes usually extending from the snout, passing over the eyes and extending to the groin. Arms and legs are reddish, orange or reddish brown, pale to dark brown to black with variable white, cream or yellow stripes or spots with or without yellow flash markings on the armpits and groin. Head venter, throat and ventral body surface may be reddish, or yellowish brown to dark brown with white, cream, yellow or reddish spots or marbling. Captive specimens tend to become dull reddish with increasing loss of pattern after each successive generation.

Habitat

Wet and dry forest at elevations between about 1200 to 1800 metres.

Habits

Diurnal and mainly terrestrial frog.

Prey

No information available

Poison Activity

Poison Type: Pumiliotoxins, Indolizidines, Quinolizidines, Epibatidine