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Ranitomeya genus (undescribed)
I was passing through Supata and had the opportunity to go and do a bit of frogging with a guide in the habitat of this species. Frogging session was about 5 hours and we saw at least 30 or so of these little (2-3cm SVL) critters. I took the photographs myself. I believe the species is not yet formally described. The male carries a single egg or tadpole curled up on his back in the style of most poison arrow frogs. This species is apparently not particularly toxic as this genus goes - not nearly as much as the Golden Poison Arrow Frog (Phyllobates terribilis).
The species is restricted to approximately 20-50 hectares of hilltop rainforest near Supata - and is endangered mainly because of habitat loss (most of its natural habitat has been deforested for agriculture).
This species is the focus of a quite well publicised community conservation programme. There is even a 'golden frog' statue in the main square of Supata town.
Spotted on Dec 11, 2013
Submitted on Nov 9, 2014
13 Comments
My guide was part of a team from a local university that did some basic research on the species after its discovery to determine it's conservation status. As far as I know they established the genus (by what method I am unsure - probably morphology and genetics) with a view towards publishing a description. I don't know about closely related species - Im not sure if anyone has evaluated this species in a phylogeny.
Hi Rex, I am interested how they come up with the genus Ranitomeya. Did they already DNA examination? Are there any close relatives around?
Great spotting and notes ! thanks.
awesome! unfortunately its hard to put accurate species info down due to lack of such information. Holding thumbs for the spotting of the week!
Wonderful spotting! Could you please add the information you give below to the description and notes of your spotting so that people see that right away when they look at the spotting? It is interesting information and would be a shame if Noah members missed it if they don't scroll down through all the comments. Thanks!
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
ok, added it to the mission... :P
This frog is perfect!
Hi RexGreen. Please consider including this spot in Poison Dart Frogs mission http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/7726...
Awesome !
Not involved in the conservation project - was just passing through Supata and had the opportunity to go and do a bit of frogging with a guide. Frogging session was about 5 hours and we saw at least 30 or so of these little (2-3cm SVL) critters. I took the photographs myself.
Although I believe the species is not yet formally described - it is the focus of a quite well publicised conservation programme. There is even a 'golden frog' statue in the main square of Supata town. The species is restricted to approximately 20-50 hectares of hilltop rainforest near Supata - and is threatened mainly because of habitat loss.
OMG im out of words .... what a beauty.... can you please tell us more about this fellow ?
Please, give us some more information about this rare frog. Are you involved in this project? Where actually did you get the picture?