Epipedobates machalilla explained

Epipedobates machalilla is a slender species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae. Endemic to West Ecuador, it lives in dry and low forests and was first described by in 1995.[1] The IUCN have classed it as "least concern".

Description

Epipedobates machalilla has a snout–vent length of 14.4to for males and 15to for females. Their heads are longer than they are wide, and the tympanum is small. The forelimbs have a moderate length and the fingers are unwebbed. The toes do not have lateral fringes and the terminal discs are expanded. It is dark-coffee in colour with a gold iris and cream ventral surfaces.[1]

Biology

The mating system of the Epipedobates machalilla includes cephalic amplexus. The female will produce around 15 eggs which are left on the ground or under leaves. The female will then leave, and the male will protect the development of the embryos and carry the larvae. When the tadpoles hatch (around 20 days after fertilization occurs), the male will take the tadpoles to riverbanks or pools of water so metamorphosis and growth can take place.[1]

Epipedobates machalilla displays a cryptic phenotype despite being in the aposematic genus Epipedobates and likely lost an aposematic trait that evolved when Epipedobates first diverged. However, it is believed that with the high intra-specific phenotypic diversity observed within poison frogs and the role of diet in toxicity that there could be chemically defended E. machalilla populations.[2] [3]

Distribution

Epipedobates machalilla is endemic to West Ecuador, where it lives in dry and low forests.[1] It mainly occurs in Azogues, Bolívar, El Oro, Guayas, Los Rios and Manabí and has been seen in the Choco rainforest. The species occurs at altitudes between 10mand515mm (30feetand1,690feetm).[1] Recently, the population has been declining due to agriculture and logging.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Epipedobates machalilla. AmphibiaWeb. 2013. 6 August 2013.
  2. Tarvin. Rebecca D.. Powell. Emily A.. Santos. Juan C.. Ron. Santiago R.. Cannatella. David C. . amp . April 2017. The birth of aposematism: High phenotypic divergence and low genetic diversity in a young clade of poison frogs. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 109. 283–295. 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.12.035 . 28089841 .
  3. Darst . Catherine R. . Menéndez-Guerrero . Pablo A. . Coloma . Luis A. . Cannatella . David C. . amp . January 2005. Evolution of dietary specialization and chemical defense in poison frogs (Dendrobatidae): a comparative analysis . American Naturalist . 165 . 1 . 56–69 . 10.1086/426599 . 15729640 .