Mimic poison frog

Ranitomeya imitator " Chazuta "

Ranitomeya imitator is a variably colored Froschlurch from the family of Dendrobatidae that are trivial also called poison dart or poison arrow frogs. The term imitator is based on the phenomenon known as mimicry of the imitation of a occurring in the same habitat Article To mimic different color morph of R. imitator depending on habitat types such as R. variabilis, R. fantastica or R. summersi.

Features

R. imitator is with a body length of about 20 mm a average sized member of the genus Ranitomeya. The basic color of all known populations is black. The colored patterns of the back range from green to yellow to orange. The shape of the color pattern ranges from symmetric longitudinal lines up to reticulated asymmetric drawings. The legs may be a continuation of the body color and pattern of the patterning ago, but are sometimes also completely sold, color as well as on the type of pattern. The belly is usually coarse mesh or point-like drawn with a relatively small amount of black. The males have a distinctive reputation of short whistling tones.

Distribution and habitat

The known distribution area of R. imitator is the Amazon rain forest in the region of Loreto and San Martín region in Peru. It will be inhabited until 1000müM on both primary and secondary hot moist lowland rain forest as well as moist Prämontanwald.

Way of life

R. imitator often lives monogamous couples and operate a sophisticated parental care. Oviposition occurs in sheltered places. There are usually laid 2 eggs. Are the tadpoles slip ready, they transported the male individually to appropriate water points, most leaf axils of bromeliads. The male animates the females for laying unfertilized eggs in the water bodies with their own tadpoles. This Nähreier serve the burbot as food. The tadpoles are optional oophag and not rely on the supply of Nähreiern. The development of the frog takes about 80 days. R. imitator feeds mainly on small insects and mites.