Minyobates steyermarki
Minyobates steyermarki is a species in the family of the poison dart frog ( Dendrobatidae ). It is now regarded as the only species of the genus Minyobates. Previously, she was assigned to the genus Dendrobates, but made on the basis of morphology and life in its own genus. This classification was controversial at first, but could be confirmed through a genetic test. The genus Dendrobates forms the sister taxon to Minyobates. Eight other, formerly run also under Minyobates types were later assigned to the genus Ranitomeya and then spun off as a new genus Andinobates again.
Features
The frogs reach a head -body length of only 14 to 16 millimeters, the females are built slightly larger and stronger than the males. The body is rust colored brown to dark red and has partly indistinct, dark brown spots. The skin is smooth, laterally it is slightly grainy textured. On the fingers widened holdfasts are available. The first finger is longer than the second.
Occurrence
The species is only from one locality in the south of Venezuela from the state of Amazonas, on the border with Brazil known. It is an approximately 10 -square-mile rainforest area of low and premontane level on Cerro Yapacana in 600 to 1200 meters above sea level. The animals live in bromeliads growing on the ground, but they should also occur on growing in canopy bromeliads.
Way of life
Minyobates steyermarki is characterized as little agile, somewhat shy nature. In captivity, the animals are but behave quite aggressively. The males begin to call with about eight months, they fertilize clutches but only with an age of about 12 months. The call is unique within the family of poison dart frog and is similar to the beeping of birds. This Single whistles are made in series. If several males together, the whistles are synchronized. About the courtship behavior is otherwise little known. Shortly after the call is done, the filing of the spawn. The male attracts the female to the provided storage space. One can observe no amplexus laying eggs. Similar to the genus Dendrobates can lay eggs and insemination run separately.
The clutches have a diameter of about 15 millimeters, and consist of three to nine eggs, on average, there are four. These are initially colored black, and later a little brighter. At 20 ° C, the larvae hatch within 10 to 14 days, and 8 to 10 mm long. They are omnivorous and need about 70 days to metamorphosis into a frog. This is then 8 to 10 millimeters long and carries on the back two more or less distinct longitudinal red stripes.
The brood care behavior is only known from captive animals. Only the male looks after the eggs. The larvae are carried on the back to appropriate water sources. It is different Phytotelma such as fluid retention in leaf axils of bromeliads. The tadpoles are not supplied with fodder eggs.
Poison
The venom contains the skin toxins pumiliotoxin -A, decahydroquinoline and indolicidin.
Endangering
Minyobates is steyermarki classified due to the extremely small distribution area and the decline of forest area in the Red List of IUCN threatened with extinction as ( " Critically Endangered "). Among the risk factors as the use of naked gold mines, forest fires and illegal collection and export for animal production or scientific purposes be counted. For example, in 1999 reported that about 150 copies were smuggled into Germany.