Skip to main content

Jeff Bezos dart frog (Phyllobates bezosi) and Cristian Samper dart frog (Phyllobates samperi)

Jeff Bezos dart frog (Phyllobates bezosi) and Cristian Samper dart frog (Phyllobates samperi)

NEWS - The true poison dart frogs (Phyllobates, Dendrobatidae) consist of five species whose systematics seem clear at first glance, but new research has established two new species, the Cristian Samper dart frog (Phyllobates samperi) and Jeff Bezos dart frog (Phyllobates bezosi).

P. samperi is a small to medium-sized dendrobatid with an adult SVL of 21–27 mm (24.5 ± 1.6 mm, mean ± SD, n = 17). It is mostly jet black with a narrow golden yellow or orange dorsolateral stripe that extends from the snout, along the outer edge of the upper eyelid to the back near the base of the thigh.

This diurnal species inhabits the understory of humid tropical forests in southwestern Colombia and thrives in moderately disturbed forests. Adults are found primarily in leaf litter, fallen tree trunks, roots, large leaves and other objects that provide shelter and possibly food.

The male carries the tadpoles on its back and deposits them in phytotelmata on the ground, such as fallen palm fronds or leaf sheaths or in semi-permanent puddles formed by rainwater on the forest floor.

The species has a potential distribution range not exceeding 20,000 km2. It is currently known from seven sites, all enclosed within a ~1000 km2 polygon where deforestation for agriculture, the urban expansion of Buenaventura and gold mining operations will inevitably reduce the amount and quality of habitat.

The researchers propose P. samperi as Vulnerable (VU) under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The species is named in honor of Colombian biologist Cristian Samper, for his lasting impact on conservation science and environmental management.

P. bezosi is a medium-sized dendrobatid with an adult SVL of 31–36 mm (33.6 ± 1.7 mm, mean ± SD, n = 9). The dorsal coloration is mostly orange to yellow with a black band or spot on the middle of the back, usually incomplete and indistinct, more often near the urostyle or between the eyes.

During the laboratory, a male carried nine tadpoles on his back. After placing them in another container of water, the tadpoles were found to be free within 24 hours. They were kept in a 25 × 20 × 20 cm aquarium with algae, aquatic plants and supplemented with fish food.

The species is known from the type site in the Garrapatas River, an area that has experienced increasing violence over the last decade, mostly related to illegal gold mining and drug trafficking. Access to the area is restricted by illegal armed groups who also restrict the movement of local residents.

The researchers proposed Endangered (EN) under the IUCN Red List criteria (IUCN 2012). The species is named in honor of Jeff Bezos for his contributions to environmental conservation, in particular through the Bezos Earth Fund to combat climate change and conserve nature by funding scientists, NGOs, and other local communities for environmental action.

Original research

Amézquita A, Vargas-Salinas F, Ramos I, Palacios-Rodríguez P, Salazar EN, Quiroz M, Bolívar W, Galindo-Uribe DM, Mazariegos-H LA (2024). Molecular phylogenetics uncovers two new species in the genus Phyllobates (Anura, Dendrobatidae): the terrible frog gets two new sisters. ZooKeys 1212: 217-240, DOI:10.3897/zookeys.1212.126733

Dlium theDlium

Popular Posts

Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)

Broad-leaved dock ( Rumex obtusifolius ) is a species of plant in the Polygonaceae, herbaceous perennial, growing broadly, up to 150 cm tall, large, oval-shaped leaves with a heart-shaped base and rounded tip, large taproot with many branches extending to a depth of 150 cm. R. obtusifolius has leaves up to 30 cm long, 15 cm wide and green. Stems are long, hard, alternate, green or reddish in color and unbranched until just below the inflorescence. A main vein in the middle and green or reddish in color. Flat or wavy surface. The inflorescences consist of large clusters of racemes that contain small, greenish flowers that turn red as they mature. Seeds are reddish brown and dry. Broad-leaved dock grows in fertile soils, grasslands, waste lands, roadsides, ditches, coastlines and riverbanks, forest margins, forest clearing and agricultural land. The leaves are used as a salad to make vegetable broth or cooked like spinach. Dried seeds are used as a spice. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tr...

Black potato (Coleus rotundifolius)

Black potato ( Coleus rotundifolius ) is a species of plant in Lamiaceae, herbaceous, fibrous roots and tubers, erect and slightly creeping stems, quadrangular, thick, and slightly odorous. Single leaves, thick, membranous, opposite and alternate. Leaves are oval, dark green and shiny on the upper side, bright green on the lower side. Up to 5 cm long, up to 4 cm wide, slightly hairy and pinnate leaf veins. Leaf stalks up to 4 cm long. Small, purple flowers. Star-shaped petals, lip-shaped crown, dark to light purple with a slightly curved tube shape. Flowering from February-August. Small tubers, brown and white flesh and tuber length 2-4 cm. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Subfamily: Nepetoideae Tribe: Ocimeae Subtribe: Plectranthinae Genus: Coleus Species: Coleus rotundifolius

Pygmy groundcherry (Physalis minima)

Ceplukan or pygmy groundcherry ( Physalis minima ) is a plant species in the Solanaceae, a pantropical perennial herb, 50 cm high, green in color, grows in wet or semi-wet areas, the fruit is edible and has a pleasant taste, is often used as an anti-cancer, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. P. minima has an erect trunk with many branches, is square with sharp angles, 20-50 cm high, bright green and juicy. The branching produces two or three new stems and becomes the point for producing leaves and fruit. The leaves have a smooth surface, hairless, plain or serrated edges, 2.5-12 cm long, light green color and pointed tips. The stalk is long and continues to be a bone in the center of the leaf with some lateral veins. Bell-shaped flowers with five corners, cream to yellow in color with brown plots on the inside and white pistils. The fruit is yellowish green and packed in a thin covering that turns brown and falls to the ground when ripe. Pygmy groundcherry grows wild in forest edges, ...