Epipedobates


Epipedobates is a genus of poison dart frogs native to northern South America west of the Andes, including the western slopes. Common name phantasmal poison frogs has been suggested for the genus.

Taxonomy

Epipedobates was erected in 1987 in an attempt to split dendrobatids into monophyletic genera, accommodating species that had until then been placed in Phyllobates. In the major revision of poison dart frogs in 2006, most of the species formerly placed in Epipedobates were then transferred to Ameerega, leaving behind just five species. The species count of Epipedobates had increased to seven by early 2024.

Description

Dorsal colouration is cryptic, brown. A pale oblique lateral stripe is present. Dorsal skin is smooth or with irregularly scattered granules or tubercles, most distinct and prevalent posteriorly. In adult males, third finger is swollen.

Species

There are seven species:
ImageScientific nameCommon nameDistribution
Epipedobates anthonyi Anthony's poison arrow frogEcuador and Peru.
Epipedobates boulengeri marbled poison frog or marbled poison-arrow frogColombia and northwestern Ecuador
Epipedobates espinosai Ecuador
Epipedobates machalilla West Ecuador
Epipedobates maculatus Confusing Poison FrogPanama
Epipedobates narinensis Colombia
Epipedobates tricolor Phantasmal poison frogEcuador