Red-headed poison frog

(Redirected from Ranitomeya fantastica)

The red-headed poison frog, fantastic poison frog, or crowned poison frog (Ranitomeya fantastica) is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae. It is endemic to Peru and found in the northern San Martín and Loreto Regions.[3][1][4]

Red-headed poison frog
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Dendrobatidae
Genus: Ranitomeya
Species:
R. fantastica
Binomial name
Ranitomeya fantastica
(Boulenger, 1884)
Synonyms

Dendrobates fantasticus Boulenger, 1884 "1883"[2]

Appearance

edit

The adult frog measures appriximately 20 mm in snout-vent length. The entire front of the body and head and front legs are bright yellow bordered in white. The entire hind portion of the body is black with gray reticulations.[3]

Habitat

edit

Its natural habitats are primary and older secondary growth wet forests. The species uses phytotelmata for breeding, which must be present in its habitat. This frog has been observed between 180 and 1200 meters above sea level. Some R. fantastica populations are heavily arboreal and some are not.[1]

Reproduction

edit

The female frog lays eggs on the undersides of leaves. The male frog moves the eggs, putting each one in a different place to prevent tadpole-on-tadpole cannibalism.[3]

Threats

edit

The IUCN classifies this frog as vulnerable to extinction. The species is threatened by collection for international pet trade as well as habitat loss associated with the cultivation of bananas and coffee.[1]

The frog's range includes one protected park: Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo Mishana.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2018). "Ranitomeya fantastica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T55182A89200743. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T55182A89200743.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ Boulenger, G. A. (1884). "On a collection of frogs from Yurimaguas, Huallaga River, Northern Peru". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1883: 635–638.
  3. ^ a b c Brianne Milano; David Strunk; Jason Saenz (March 19, 2012). Mingna (Vicky) Zhuang (ed.). "Ranitomeya fantastica (Boulenger, 1884)". AmphibiaWeb (in Spanish). University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Ranitomeya fantastica (Boulenger, 1884)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 20 April 2015.