Black-legged Dart Frog
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| Phyllobates bicolor (Duméril and Bibron, 1841) |
The Black-legged Dart Frog (Phyllobates bicolor), also known as the bicolored dart frog or Neari in Choco, is the second most toxic of the wild poison dart frogs. This species obtained its name due to its normally yellow or orange body with black or dark blue hindlegs and forelimbs below the elbow. It lives in the lowland forests in the Chocó area in western Colombia, along the San Juan river, although some populations lives further South in Quebrada Guangui. The frogs from Quebrada Guangui bear a striking resemblence to the yellow or orange forms of Phyllobates terribilis, and are sometimes confused for them by hobbyists.
In this species, the male transports tadpoles adhering on its back. [1]
[edit] Toxicity
While it is weaker than P. terribilis, Phyllobates bicolor is still a highly toxic animal. Just 150 micrograms of its poison is enough to kill an adult human. This frog is often heated over a flame to make it "sweat" the liquid poison for hunting darts. The poison causes death by respiratory and muscular paralyisis. Research is being conducted to determine medicinal uses for this batrachotoxin. As with all dart frogs, captive-raised individuals are not toxic----the animals require chemicals found only in their wild food sources, mainly insects. In captivity, these chemicals are not available to them from their food source.
[edit] Captive Care
Care for P. Bicolor is similar to Phyllobates terribilis, except P. bicolor can be kept in a slightly smaller enclosure. Both males and females of this species can be vocal.
[edit] References
- ^ Hickman, Cleveland P. Jr., et al. (2006). Integrated Principles of Zoology. McGraw-Hill New York.
- Bolívar & Lötters (2004). Phyllobates bicolor. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is near threatened
- Olson, E. 2001. "Phyllobates bicolor" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 09, 2006 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Phyllobates_bicolor.html
