| Phantasmal poison frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Dendrobatidae |
| Genus: | Epipedobates |
| Species: | E. tricolor |
| Binomial name | |
| Epipedobates tricolor |
|
A phantasmal poison frog (Epipedobates tricolor) is a species of poison dart frog. Their natural habitat is the Andean slopes of the central Ecuadorian Bolívar province. They have radiant color, powerful poison, and yet are some of the smallest frogs around, ranging from 1 centimetre (0.39 in) to 4 centimetres (1.6 in). They can live up to 10 years in captivity.
Phantasmal poison frogs have one of the strongest toxins of frogs. Their toxin is known to be lethal. One of commonly related organisms, the blue triden frog (Epipedobates anthonyi), is frequently mistaken for the phantasmal poison frog.
A chemical extracted from the skin of this species has been found to be of medicinal use as[1] a painkiller; called epibatidine,it is 200 times as potent as morphine. Secretions from dendrobatids are also showing promise as muscle relaxants and heart stimulants.[2]
Data related to Epipedobates tricolor at Wikispecies Media related to Epipedobates tricolor at Wikimedia Commons