Still Life with Dart Frog
An Historical Review of the Family Dendrobatidae (with some Personal Reflections)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~///~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although dendrobatids and their unusual reproductive behavior were undoubtedly known to Native Americans for thousands of years, the first species to come to the attention of Western science was Dendrobates tinctorius, which was described by Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider in 1799 and named Calamita tinctorius (from calamus, meaning reed, and tinctorius, a Latin word referring to dyeing).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~///~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Despite the success in dendrobatid captive breeding (or perhaps because of it), there is a growing demand for new and unusual dendrobatids in the marketplace . Although it is now illegal to export most dendrobatids from their native countries without difficult to obtain permits, a thriving illegal trade in wild-caught individuals persists. For example, in April of 2000 a German national was arrested trying to leave Bogotá, Colombia, by commercial airliner. He was found to have more than 300 live Dendrobates stashed in his luggage. Not long after, a Panamanian national was caught trying to smuggle out 195 Dendrobates (and 344 mata matas). Ironically, the destruction of the frogs’ native habitats may be behind the influx of new dendrobatid color morphs , as areas previously inaccessible to collectors are being opened. Unfortunately, many of the wild caught dendrobatids arrive in poor condition and do not survive long enough to breed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~///~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although nearly 200 species of dendrobatids have been described since 1799, we know that there are more species (perhaps many more species) awaiting discovery. Of those species that have been identified, far less than half have been studied in the wild or maintained in captivity . Herpetoculturists have tended to concentrate on the more spectacular species and variants, so few of the more drab dendrobatids have been captive bred.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~///~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With a few notable exceptions, there is little overlap between the herpetoculturists who breed dendrobatids and the scientists who study dendrobatids, despite the potential for mutual cooperation between these groups leading to a better understanding of the frogs. A lot can be learned about dendrobatid behavior from studying captive individuals (if the constraints of captivity on behavior can be quantified). Similarly, specimens and DNA samples from captive bred dendrobatids, particularly from hybrids, could be useful to systematists if the specimens were properly vouchered and preserved when they died, and if a dendrobatid studbook could be established.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~///~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by John Simmons
Tracy Hicks
223 North Shore
Dallas, TX
75216-1030
