The splendid poison frog (Oophaga speciosa) is an extinct species of poison dart frog that was endemic to the eastern end of Cordillera de Talamanca, western Panama.[2] Its natural habitats are humid lowland and montane forests.[1][3]
| Splendid poison frog | |
|---|---|
| |
| Museum specimen (in life it was red) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Dendrobatidae |
| Genus: | Oophaga |
| Species: | †O. speciosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Oophaga speciosa (Schmidt, 1857)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Dendrobates speciosus Schmidt, 1857 | |
Appearance
editMale and female adult frogs measured 28-31 mm in snout-vent length. This frog was bright red in color.[3]
Habitat
editThis frog inhabited in cloud forests in the western Panama's Cordillera de Talamanca. It was diurnal and terrestrial.[3] This frog was observed between 1140 and 1410 meters above sea level.[2]
Life cycle
editThe male frogs fight each other for good foraging and egg deposition sites.[3]
The female frog cares for the eggs and tadpoles. She lays eggs on leaf litter. After they hatch, she carries the tadpoles to small pools of water that collect in plant leaves other parts. The female frog lays unfertilized eggs for the tadpoles to eat.[3]
Extinction
editThe species was formerly common in its small range, but is now classified as extinct. Scientists cite the amphibian chytrid fungus that spread through in the region in 1996, a few years after the last recorded sighting of the splendid poison frog in 1992. Despite several comprehensive surveys in its range in subsequent decades, the species (which was easily visible and diurnal) has not been relocated and it was officially declared extinct in 2020.[1][4]
Because so many frogs were harvested for the international pet trade, scientists believe it may be possible that some remain alive in captivity.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Splendid Poison Frog: Oophaga speciosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T55201A54344718. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T55201A54344718.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Oophaga speciosa (Schmidt, 1857)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Chelsea Deerinck (June 23, 2011). Brent Nguyen; Michelle S. Koo (eds.). "Oophaga speciosa (Schmidt, 1857)". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Splendid creature forever gone..." Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
External links
edit
Data related to Oophaga speciosa at Wikispecies
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