The Epipedobates boulengeri, also known as the Marbled Poison Frog, is a very small frog, like every other frog in the family Dendrobatidae. The Marbled Poison Frog is only15-21 millimeters in length. The color of the frog is light brown with black spots. The Marbled Poison Frog is well adapted to survive in its environment because of its poison and colors. The Marbled Poison Frog may be small, but it is likely to survive in its environment.

 

The Marbled Poison Frog is not high in the food chain, but they are not eaten by much either because of their poison. The Marbled Poison Frog feeds on small insects and other small organisms. They compete with other animals that eat insects such as other frogs. These frogs avoid being eaten by its bright/colorful coloration, unlike non-poisonous frogs. The coloration warn predators that it is poisonous and to stay away. It is believed that these frogs get their poison from their diet (chemicals from the insects). However, a few snakes that are immune to the poison of Marbled Poison Frogs do prey on these frogs.

 

Marbled Poison Frogs are distributed in Ecuador and south-western Columbia located in South America. They live subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, rivers, and heavily degraded former forests. They like to stay on the floor of the forest and feed on insects. They are well adapted because they, like any other poisonous frog, are able to feed on prey and be only prey to few predators. However, the population number is decreasing because of human activity.

 

The population of the Marbled Poison Frog is unknown, but they are considered a common species. The population of this species, however, is decreasing because of the activity of humans. Human activity that causes a threat to these frogs includes deforestation for agriculture, logging, human settlement, pesticide use, introduction of new predatory fishes, and pollution. Even though these frogs are not prey to many animals, human caused activities are still threatening this species.

 

The Marbled Poison Frog is an interesting animal to research and learn about. I find the idea that this animal could be getting its poisonous trait from the food it eats interesting. I have learned much about the Marbled Poison Frog and poison frogs in general from researching and doing this report.

 

Author:Vivian Y

Published: 02/2010

           

Sources:

Burton, Maurice. International wildlife encyclopedia. 3rd ed. Vol. 3. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002. Pages 93-94.

 

"Marbled Poison Frog -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 08 Feb. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbled_Poison_Frog

 

"Epipedobates boulengeri (Marbled Poison Frog)." The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Web. 8 Feb. 2010. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/55217/0

 

"Epipedobates Boulengeri." Www.poison-frogs.com. Web. 8 Feb. 2010. http://www.poison-frogs.nl/e020346.html

 

Photo Credit:

 Epipedobates boulengeri. 17 Aug. 2002. Web. 9 Feb. 2010.

http://www.dendroworld.co.uk/BDGarchive/e_boulengeri.html