Adelphobates


Adelphobates is a small genus of poison dart frogs. They are found in the central and lower Amazon basin of Peru and Brazil, possibly Bolivia. It was originally erected as a sister group to the Dendrobates and Oophaga genera. The validity of the genus is still being discussed, with the alternative being "Dendrobates galactonotus group" within Dendrobates. One species originally placed in this genus as Adelphobates captivus has since been moved to the genus Excidobates erected in 2008.

Etymology

Adelphobates is from the Ancient Greek, adelphos and bates."Brothers" refers to Charles W. Myers and John W. Daly, two unrelated scientists directly involved with studies of the species.

Biology

All members have conspicuous, vibrant coloration, and smooth skin. A peculiar feature of their reproduction is that tadpoles are transported to Brazil nut capsules lying on the forest floor. Cannibalism may result if more than one tadpole ends up in the same capsule.

Species

There are three species:
ImageScientific nameCommon nameDistribution
Adelphobates castaneoticus Brazil-nut poison frogstate of Pará in Brazil
Adelphobates galactonotus splash-backed poison frog or splashback poison frogsouthern Amazon Basin in Brazil.
Adelphobates quinquevittatus Amazonian poison frogsouthern Amazon Basin in Brazil and Bolivia.