Striped leaf climber
| Striped leaf climber | ||||||||||||
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Striped leaf climber ( Phyllobates vittatus ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Phyllobates vittatus | ||||||||||||
| ( Cope , 1893) |
The Striped phyllobates ( Phyllobates vittatus ), even Striped poison dart frog called, is one of five species of the genus phyllobates ( Phyllobates ) in the family of poison dart frog (Dendrobatidae).
description
The striped leaf climber reaches a maximum length of around three centimeters, males remain a little smaller. The basic color on the trunk is black on the top and two reddish longitudinal stripes run along the entire back. The males have a vocal sac which they can use to generate trilling calls to attract the females. The poison of the Phyllobates species is very effective. It is obtained through the ingestion of certain invertebrates , which contain relatively harmless alkaloids , from which the frog can extract the highly toxic batrachotoxin . In captivity, however, the toxicity declines after a few months due to the lack of availability of the poisonous prey. The first generation hatched in captivity should be non-toxic at the latest.
Occurrence, way of life
The striped leaf climber occurs on the southwestern Pacific side of Costa Rica ( Golfo Dulce region). The animals are mostly ground dwellers; to hunt for ants, beetles and other small invertebrates, they also climb smaller bushes. Spawning takes place on bromeliad leaves on trees. Only then are the eggs inseminated by the males. These brood care for the eggs and the hatched larvae by moistening the eggs and then carrying the tadpoles around on their backs before releasing them into the water for further development.
Protection status, threat
Phyllobates vittatus is listed in the European Species Protection Ordinance VO (EC) No. 1332/2005 under Appendix B, as well as in the Washington Convention on Species Protection in Appendix 2. Accordingly, the animals are notifiable in terrariums in the EU .
The IUCN classifies the species as "endangered", ie "critically endangered". In addition to direct habitat destruction and habitat fragmentation , wild-caught animals for the purpose of keeping animals have also contributed to the current threat to the population.
Sources and further information
literature
- Rainer Schulte: frogs and toads. Tropical and native frogs in the terrarium. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1980, ISBN 3-8001-7048-5
