CENTRAL / SOUTH AMERICAN POISONOUS FROGS

Dendrobates ventrimaculatus

Family: Dendrobatidae Genus: Dendrobates Species: ventrimaculatus Common Names Amazonian Poison-Arrow Frog , Amazonian Poison Frog Countries French Guiana, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
	Species Distribution Map

Taxonomy and Biology

Adult length: 16mm

Description

Colour and pattern is quite variable over its range. Head and body dorsum has a pattern of 3 yellow lines or stripes ( vertebral and dorsolateral ) separating black regions. In some specimens the vertebral line or stripe may only extend posteriorly from between the eyes to about midbody. In some specimens the yellow, dorsolateral stripes may be connected on the posterior quarter of the body resulting in a black Y shaped marking. A yellow ( sometimes orange and very occasionally red ) stripe extending from the snout to at least the arms is usually present on the lower flank. In most specimens this yellow stripe is continued posteriorly to the junction of the hind leg. Arms and legs are covered with small black spots separated by a reticulation of narrow white to pale blue lines. Underside of hind legs are white to pale blue with rounded black spots. Head venter and throat is yellow usually with a black lower lip margin and a pair of black spots on the throat. Ventral surface of body is usually covered with black spots separated by white to pale blue lines ( occasionally the yellow head venter and throat colour is extended onto the ventral surface of the body ).

Habitat

Moist forest and forest edges, typically near streams.

Habits

Diurnal and arboreal frog found in trees and bromeliads several metres off the ground.

Prey

Feeds mainly on ants.

Poison Activity

Poison Type: Histrionicotoxins, Pumiliotoxins, Decahydroquinolines, Pyrrolizidines, Indolizidines