Chocó Poison Dart Frog

About the Chocó Poison Dart Frog

Oophaga solanensis, also known as the koe-koe, is a species of poison dart frog in the family Dendrobatidae. It was described by the herpetologists Andrés Posso-Terranova and Jose Andrés in 2018 and is named for the municipality of Bahía Solano, where it was first discovered. It is a large poison dart frog with an average snout–vent length of 36.2 ± 1.7 mm (1.425 ± 0.067 in). It has a dark black background color marked with variable orange or red spots and "bracelet"-like patterns on the limbs. Typically, there are four to five rounded or oval spots arranged in a line along the middle of the back, one or two spots on the sides, and sometimes another spot around the tympanum. There are bracelet-like bands on the upper and lower limbs, usually incomplete on the underside. The throat and chest have several spots. The fingers and toe tips are black and the skin is smooth.

The species is endemic to northwestern Colombia, where it is known from the western banks of the Atrato and San Juan rivers to the Pacific coast. It inhabits dense tropical rainforest throughout its range at elevations of 0 to 420 m (0 to 1,378 ft). Oophaga solanensis is classified as being vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its small range and an ongoing decline in its population due to wildlife trafficking and habitat degradation. The species' habitat was historically inaccessible and protected due to the Colombian conflict, but the end of the conflict has increased the species' vulnerability to trafficking and habitat loss. Measures that have been suggested to protect the species include adding the species to Appendix I of CITES, establishing ex situ populations, additional research on threats and distribution, and better regulation of trade of the species. Wikipedia →