CENTRAL / SOUTH AMERICAN POISONOUS FROGS

Epipedobates parvulus

Family: Dendrobatidae Genus: Epipedobates Species: parvulus Common Names Ruby Poison-Arrow Frog , Ruby Poison Frog , Valle Santiago Poison Frog Countries Colombia, Peru, Ecuador
	Species Distribution Map

Taxonomy and Biology

Adult length: 17.5mm

Description

Head dorsum, dorsal body surface and flanks are black with red, reddish brown or bronze brown granules and often a red, reddish brown or bronze brown line from the snout ( continuous around the snout ) to above the eye. A white to blue stripe commences near the lip margin and extends to the insertion of the arm and a blue lateral stripe or streak commences near midbody and extends to the groin ( sometimes broken into spots ). Arms and legs are black with some blue dotting or speckling and a blue flash marking on the base of the arm. There is no light spot under the shank and no yellow spot on the base of the thigh. Head venter and throat is mainly black with some blue marbling. Ventral body surface is marbled blue and black.

Habitat

Mainly lowland rainforest but has been found up to an elevation of about 1000 metres.

Habits

Diurnal and terrestrial frog that inhabits forest floor leaf litter.

Prey

Feeds mainly on ants, beetles and mites.

Poison Activity

Poison Type: Histrionicotoxins, Pumiliotoxins, Decahydroquinolines, Indolizidines