Panamanian golden frog: Difference between revisions
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The '''Panamanian golden frog''' ('''''Atelopus zeteki''''') is a [[critically endangered]] toad which is [[endemism|endemic]] to [[Panama]]. It has been considered a [[subspecies]] of ''[[Atelopus varius|A. varius]]'', but is now generally regarded as a separate species.<ref>Savage, J.M. 2002. ''The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica.'' University of Chicago Press, Chicago. ISBN 0-226-73537-0</ref> While the [[IUCN]] still lists it as [[critically endangered]],<ref name= IUCN>[http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/54563/all The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - ''Atelopus zeteki'' – Critically Endangered] - Accessed February 4, 2008</ref> it may have been [[extinct in the wild]] since 2007. Individuals have been collected for breeding in captivity in a bid to preserve the species.<ref name=bbc>[[BBC News Online]] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7219803.stm ''2nd February 2008'']</ref> |
The '''Panamanian golden frog''' ('''''Atelopus zeteki''''') is a [[critically endangered]] toad which is [[endemism|endemic]] to [[Panama]]. It has been considered a [[subspecies]] of ''[[Atelopus varius|A. varius]]'', but is now generally regarded as a separate species.<ref>Savage, J.M. 2002. ''The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica.'' University of Chicago Press, Chicago. ISBN 0-226-73537-0</ref> While the [[IUCN]] still lists it as [[critically endangered]],<ref name= IUCN>[http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/54563/all The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - ''Atelopus zeteki'' – Critically Endangered] - Accessed February 4, 2008</ref> it may have been [[extinct in the wild]] since 2007. Individuals have been collected for breeding in captivity in a bid to preserve the species.<ref name=bbc>[[BBC News Online]] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7219803.stm ''2nd February 2008'']</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Although known as a [[frog]], the golden frog, despite being smooth-skinned and frog-like in appearance, is classified as a ''"[[True toad]]" (Bufonidae)''. Like other frogs and toads, the golden frog is capable of secreting poison to help protect themselves from |
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| ⚫ | Although known as a [[frog]], the golden frog, despite being smooth-skinned and frog-like in appearance, is classified as a ''"[[[[True toad]]" (Bufonidae]])''. Like other frogs and toads, the golden frog is capable of secreting poison to help protect themselves from predat<nowiki>Insert non-formatted text here</nowiki>ors. In the case of the golden frog, this is a water-soluble [[neurotoxin]] called [[zetekitoxin]].<ref name=amph/> |
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In dry habitat, the adult male measures {{convert|35|mm|in}} to {{convert|40|mm|in}} and weighs {{convert|3|g|oz}} to {{convert|5|g|oz}}. The adult female ranges from 45 to 55 mm and from 4 to 7 g. It is larger in wet forests, where the male can grow to 48 mm and weigh up to 12 g, and the female can be as large as 63 mm and weigh up to 15 g.<ref>[[San Diego Zoo]] website: [http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-frog_toad.html sandiegozoo.org]</ref> They inhabit tropical forest regions, particularly on mountains, near streams.<ref name=amph>[http://www.amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?query_src=aw_maps_geo-ceam&table=amphib&special=one_record&where-genus=Atelopus&where-species=zeteki AmphibiaWeb:] ''Mantella baroni - Panamanian Golden Frog''</ref> |
In dry habitat, the adult male measures {{convert|35|mm|in}} to {{convert|40|mm|in}} and weighs {{convert|3|g|oz}} to {{convert|5|g|oz}}. The adult female ranges from 45 to 55 mm and from 4 to 7 g. It is larger in wet forests, where the male can grow to 48 mm and weigh up to 12 g, and the female can be as large as 63 mm and weigh up to 15 g.<ref>[[San Diego Zoo]] website: [http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-frog_toad.html sandiegozoo.org]</ref> They inhabit tropical forest regions, particularly on mountains, near streams.<ref name=amph>[http://www.amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?query_src=aw_maps_geo-ceam&table=amphib&special=one_record&where-genus=Atelopus&where-species=zeteki AmphibiaWeb:] ''Mantella baroni - Panamanian Golden Frog''</ref> |
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lol i was here =) hi!!!! |
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== Headline text == |
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==Reproduction== |
==Reproduction== |
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Revision as of 14:07, 11 May 2010
| Panamanian golden frog | |
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| 'Atelopus zeteki' | |
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| Species: | A. zeteki
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| Atelopus zeteki Dunn, 1933
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The Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) is a critically endangered toad which is endemic to Panama. It has been considered a subspecies of A. varius, but is now generally regarded as a separate species.[1] While the IUCN still lists it as critically endangered,[2] it may have been extinct in the wild since 2007. Individuals have been collected for breeding in captivity in a bid to preserve the species.[3]
[[Media:Media:Example.ogg[[Media:Media:Example.ogg
]]]]==Description==
Although known as a frog, the golden frog, despite being smooth-skinned and frog-like in appearance, is classified as a "[[True toad" (Bufonidae]]). Like other frogs and toads, the golden frog is capable of secreting poison to help protect themselves from predatInsert non-formatted text hereors. In the case of the golden frog, this is a water-soluble neurotoxin called zetekitoxin.[4]
In dry habitat, the adult male measures 35 millimetres (1.4 in) to 40 millimetres (1.6 in) and weighs 3 grams (0.11 oz) to 5 grams (0.18 oz). The adult female ranges from 45 to 55 mm and from 4 to 7 g. It is larger in wet forests, where the male can grow to 48 mm and weigh up to 12 g, and the female can be as large as 63 mm and weigh up to 15 g.[5] They inhabit tropical forest regions, particularly on mountains, near streams.[4]
lol i was here =) hi!!!!
Headline text
Reproduction
These frogs are unusual in that they communicate by a form of semaphore, waving at rivals and prospective mates, in addition to the sounds more usual among frogs. This adaptation is thought to have evolved in the golden frog because of the noise of the fast-moving streams which formed their natural habitat.[3]
Amplexus can last from a few days to a couple of months, with ovipositioning usually taking place in shallow streams.[4]
Behavior
The golden frog appears to socialize with other frogs using sounds from the throat and hand waving. This hand waving was investigated by a group of amphibian experts and appears to be used for a variety of social situations, from friendly waves to signals to back off. A fake frog with a moving hand was used, and after repeated hand waving, the authentic frog attacked.[3]
Conservation status
The species was filmed for the very last time in the wild in 2007 by the BBC Natural History Unit for the series Life in Cold Blood by David Attenborough.[3] The remaining few specimens were taken into captivity and the location of filming was kept secret to protect them from potential poachers.
Populations of amphibians, including the golden frog, suffered major declines possibly due to the fungal infection, chytridiomycosis, which is an invasive fungal pathogen that reached El Valle, the home of the Panamanian Golden Frog in 2006 [6]. Additional factors, such as habitat loss and pollution, may have also played a role.[4]
In culture
The Panamanian golden frog is something of a national symbol, appearing on state lottery tickets and in local mythology. It is thought that when the frog dies it turns to gold. It is believed that the frog brings good luck to those fortunate enough to see it.
References
- ^ Savage, J.M. 2002. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. ISBN 0-226-73537-0
- ^ The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - Atelopus zeteki – Critically Endangered - Accessed February 4, 2008
- ^ a b c d BBC News Online 2nd February 2008
- ^ a b c d AmphibiaWeb: Mantella baroni - Panamanian Golden Frog
- ^ San Diego Zoo website: sandiegozoo.org
- ^ "Panama Amphibian Conservation Timeline". Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
External links
- "Panamanian golden frog". The Encyclopedia of Life.
- Oakland Zoo
- St. Louis Zoo
- Smithsonian's National Zoological Park
- Project Golden Frog Species information
- Houston Zoo
- Discover Life website: Atelopus zeteki
- Discover Life website: Species ID tool
- Global Amphibian Assessment Atelopus zeteki - Golden Arrow Poison Frog, Golden Frog, Panamanian Golden Frog, Zetek's Golden Frog
- Panamanian Golden Frog Description Panama Travel Guides and Attractions