Work

Revisiting the Poison Dart Frog Ameerega ingeri (Anura: Dendrobatidae): external morphology, tadpoles, natural history, distribution, advertisement call, phylogenetic position and conservation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Many amphibian species have been described based solely on preserved specimens, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of their behavior, natural history, population status, and phylogenetic relationships—factors essential for effective conservation. Ameerega ingeri , a dark poison frog originally believed to be endemic to Colombia, exemplifies this challenge. Described from only four specimens, its coloration in life, ecological traits, and distribution remained poorly understood for decades, leading to taxonomic confusion with closely related species. In this study, we revisit A. ingeri by providing new distribution records that extend its known range, along with detailed morphological and acoustic descriptions, dietary analysis, and population data. By integrating molecular and acoustic data with ecological and natural history observations, we clarify its taxonomic identity and distinguish it from congeners. Furthermore, we assess its conservation status based on updated occurrence and population data, and propose its inclusion in a threat category according to IUCN criteria. Our findings enhance the understanding of dendrobatid diversity and highlight the importance of field-based research on poorly known and potentially threatened species to support informed conservation strategies.

Source: PeerJ

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.20078