Phantasmal poison frog
| Phantasmal poison frog | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Dendrobatidae |
| Genus: | Epipedobates |
| Species: | E. tricolor
|
| Binomial name | |
| Epipedobates tricolor (Boulenger, 1899)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Prostherapis tricolor Boulenger, 1899 | |
The phantasmal poison frog or phantasmal poison-arrow frog (Epipedobates tricolor) is a species of poison dart frog first described in 1899 by Boulenger. It is endemic to Ecuador, specifically the Andean slopes of central Ecuador in Bolívar Province. They are known for their radiant warm colors and distinct lightly colored stripes and blotches that run along the length of their body. They are one of the most poisonous animals on the planet, with a poison hundreds of times stronger than morphine. This species has been classified as vulnerable due to an increase in habitat destruction in the few locations where they are known to live.