Blue tree climber

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Blue tree climber
Dendrobates tinctorius var. Azureus

Dendrobates tinctorius var. Azureus

Systematics
Superfamily : Dendrobatoidea
Family : Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobatidae)
Subfamily : Dendrobatinae
Genre : Tree climber ( dendrobates )
Type : Dyer's frog ( Dendrobates tinctorius )
without rank: Blue tree climber
Scientific name
Dendrobates tinctorius var. Azureus
( Cuvier , 1797)

The blue tree-climber , also called azure-blue tree-climber or blue poison dart frog , is, according to new studies, considered a color variant of the dye frog ( Dendrobates tinctorius ) and is therefore no longer treated as a separate species , as was the case for a long time, Dendrobates azureus Hoogmoed , 1969 .

Occurrence

The blue tree climber is only found in a small area in the triangle between Brazil , French Guiana and Suriname in the Sipaliwini savannah and lives mostly on the floor of the tropical rainforest. It lives there in the leafy layer and feeds on small insects such as ants (it is from the ants that it produces its poison). The population of the frog is endangered because of the small area of ​​distribution. Its territory is also endangered by hunters who clear forest areas. The trio of Indians who live in the Sipaliwinisavanne call the frog "Okopipi".

Appearance

The diurnal frog grows up to 4.5 cm in size, with the males remaining slightly smaller and the females slightly larger. It has a strong blue basic color with black dots. The skin is also bright and shiny.

Reproduction

After the eggs have been laid, which usually takes place in caves or in small bodies of water on the ground, the five to ten eggs are fertilized by the male. After the tadpoles hatch, which usually occurs after 12 to 16 days, both parents carry them into small bodies of water (puddles, leaf axils, pools, etc.) where they are fed and guarded. The development of the larvae to the adult frog is completed after 80 to 100 days.

Poison

The blue tree climber secretes toxins via skin glands that protect against fungal and bacterial attack. In addition, the poison protects against predators, which are also deterred by the bright colors of the frog. Due to this property, it is counted among the poison dart frogs, but the blue tree climber is only slightly poisonous compared to species such as Phyllobates terribilis .

Terrarium keeping

The blue tree climber is a popular terrarium animal along with many other representatives of the poison dart frogs. In recent years it has developed into a tree-climber frog that is bred quite often.

As a holder you need a certificate of origin in Germany. You have to report the dendrobats to the local authority within 14 days. (Appendix 5 to Section 7 (2) BArtSchV).

literature

  • Eisenberg, Tobias: The blue poison dart frog. Natur und Tier-Verlag, 2004
  • W.Schmidt, FW Henkel: Practical guide poison dart frogs. Chimaira Publishing House, 2004

Single receipts

  1. Diann E. Gaalema: sexual conditioning in the dyeing poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius). Diss. Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010, p. 26.
  2. P. Weygoldt: Evolution of parental care in dart poison frogs (Amphibia: Anura: Dendrobatidae). In: Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research , Vol. 25, No. 1, 1987, pp. 51-67, doi : 10.1111 / j.1439-0469.1987.tb00913.x .
  3. Benjamin Kaming Chan: Influence of Parental Care Behaviors on Offspring Fitness in the Green and Black Dart-poison frog (Dendrobates auratus). ProQuest, 2008.

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