Bumblebee Poison Dart Frogs

Dendrobates leucomelas, commonly known as the Bumblebee Poison Dart Frog (also known as Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog and Yellow-headed Poison Frog), is a poison dart frog from the Dendrobates genus of the dendrobatid family.

Toxicity

Like all Dendrobatidae, D. leucomelas secrete toxins from their skin which they gain from eating certain unspecified arthropod prey items. It is uncertain precisely which arthropods lend their toxicity to which genus of Dendrobatidae, but one such arthropod is thought to have been identified as a possible source of the toxin for Dendrobatidae P. terriblis, and it is a local variant of the Melyrid beetle.

Dendrobatidae toxins vary from species to species, but some are extremely potent neurotoxins. The alkaloid toxins, secreted from the frog's skin, interfere with nerve impulses, which can lead to heart failure or fibrillation.

D. leucomelas, despite being known as a poison dart frog, was not used for the purpose of poisoning hunting darts. In reality, only members of the Phyllobates genus were used for such a purpose, although, like them, leucomelas possess extremely potent toxins. They are thought to be the most toxic species of their genus, and their poison could potentially kill an animal as large as a human. The initial symptoms are a searing, burning pain, fever, and elevated pulse, which are soon followed by convulsions and finally paralysis.

Leucomelas and other poison frogs are obviously immune to their own toxins, which allows them to interact to a significant degree.

Distribution & Habitat

D. leucomelas is found in the northern part of continent of South America, most notably in Venezuela. It is also found in parts of Guyana, Brazil and the extreme eastern most part of Colombia. This amphibian is normally found in very humid conditions in tropical rain forests, close to fresh water. It is often found on flat rocks, trees, plants (notably, bromeliads) and the leaf litter of the forest floor. During the dry season, specimens are known to congregate in damper places such as under rocks or fallen tree trunks.

The Leucomelas' natural habitat is tropical, and not subject to great seasonal temperature variations. Typically, temperature variances are related to elevation and time of day, and range from the low 20s °C to the low 30s °C.

Although preferring high humidity levels, this species can handle lower humidity levels much better than other species in the genus. Specimens can also be found in the seasonally drier forest islands in its natural range, and at elevations ranging from sea level, to 800 metres AMSL.

Morphology

Leucomelas is one of the largest species in the genus Dendrobates, with a snout to vent length of between 3.1 centimetres (1.2 in) to 5 centimetres (2.0 in). Average adult size, however, rarely exceeds 4 centimetres (1.6 in).[2] Their average weight is reported as being around 3 grams (0.0066 lb). Males tend to be slightly smaller than the females, but otherwise, there is little in their appearance to casually sex the species.

Like most poison dart frogs, Dendrobates leucomelas has evolved aposematic colouration as a warning to potential predators that they will make an unpalatable or toxic meal.

Predominantly, these frogs have a bright yellow colouration with varying amounts of broad black stripes and/or spots that extend over the whole body. Some morphs are orange in colour, and variations exist within the species (naturally occurring and not morphs solely within the exotic pet community) that dictate the extent of these markings ranging from fine spots to thick unbroken banding.

They have glandular adhesive pads on their toes (which aid in climbing and positioning) and, in common with other species in their order, they have a short, protrudable, unnotched, sticky tongue, which extends to catch prey.

Behavior

D. leucomelas are diurnal by nature, and communicate in much the same way as Phyllobates terribilis. Uniquely, it is the only poison dart frog to estivate during dry spells. WIld specimens live in groups of 4 or 5.

Reproduction

Yellow banded poison dart frogs reproduce sexually. The mother lays her fertilized eggs (zygotes) in a body of water. When they hatch, they are called tadpoles.

Husbandry & Conservation Status

This species relative ability to withstand broad variations in humidity and temperature, combined with its comparatively bold nature, make it a popular choice for those enthusiasts and amateur herpetologists involved in the exotic pet community. It is widely seen as being an ideal starter species for amateur hepetologists wishing to keep poison dart frogs for the first time.

The species' robustness, relatively common numbers in the wild, and its widespread natural distribution has helped maintain this frogs status of "least Concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's conservation red list, despite some over harvesting of wild specimens for the exotic pet trade. The species' ability to be easily bred in captivity has led to a fall in prices within the exotic pet trade, which is an alleviative factor to the problem of over harvesting.

Once in captivity and removed from their natural source of food, Dendrobatidae lose much of their toxicity. Dendrobates leucomelas, however, are not one of the three main Dendrobatidae species that are used for poison darts by native South American tribal hunters, so toxicity levels are somewhat lower in wild caught specimens than in the phyllobates genus.