Ranitomeya reticulata (Boulenger, 1884)

Species Classification

Ranatomyera reticulata, also known as the red-backed poison frog, is a species of dendrobatid poison frog.

Adult Size

Adult males measure 13.0 to 15.0 mm in snout-vent length, while adult females measure approximately 14.0 to 17.0 mm.

Dorsal Coloration

The dorsal surfaces of the head and body are metallic red or red-brown, and some individuals have black spots.

Limb and Ventral Coloration

The tops of the four legs, flanks, and belly are gray or blue-gray with black reticulation.

Body Build

This species has a slimmer build than many other dendrobatids.

Hiding Adaptation

Combined with its very small size, this build allows it to squeeze into extremely small hiding places.

Predator Avoidance Strategies

Because of its small size, this frog often attempts to avoid predators by advertising its poison through its bright coloration or by climbing up trees to escape.

Defensive Poison Use

If it cannot escape, it will use its poison as a defensive mechanism.

Habitat and Elevation Range

This frog inhabits primary and secondary rainforests, and has been observed at elevations between 150 and 340 meters above sea level.

Social Group Structure

In their natural habitat, R. reticulata live in small groups of five or six individuals.

Breeding Congregations

At the end of the wet season, multiple of these groups gather together in large breeding congregations.

Male Courtship Behavior

Like other poison dart frogs, males court females by calling to get their attention, then gently stroking and licking the female.

Mating Initiation

A female signals that she is receptive to mating by stamping her hind feet, after which the pair mates.

Breeding Timing Advantage

Breeding starting at the end of the wet season ensures eggs are laid at the start of the next wet season, so young frogs have a steady supply of water to survive.

Egg Laying Site

The female lays her eggs on the ground.

Tadpole Transport

After the eggs hatch, the male carries the tadpoles up into the forest canopy.

Tadpole Adhesion Mechanism

Tadpoles produce water-soluble adhesive mucus that helps them stick to their father's back.

Tadpole Deposition Site

The male deposits each tadpole into a tiny pool of water that collects in the center of a bromeliad plant.

Tadpole Feeding

The female then feeds the tadpoles by laying infertile eggs into the pool water.

Froglet Group Integration

Once tadpoles metamorphose into froglets, their parents lead them to an existing group of red-backed poison frogs.

Froglet Care

All group members accept the young froglets, but only the froglets' parents provide care for them.

Genus Toxicity Ranking

The red-backed poison frog is a moderately toxic dendrobatid, and is the second most poisonous species in the genus Ranitomeya.

Toxin Defensive Function

Its toxins act as a natural defense, making it inedible for most, if not all, predators in its native range.

Warning Coloration Purpose

To advertise its poison and further reduce the risk of attack, the frog displays its bright warning coloration, especially its red-orange back, which gives the species its common name.

Toxin Origin

Like all dendrobatids, this frog does not produce its own poison.

Toxin Source Hypothesis

Scientists theorize that it obtains toxins from the ants, mites, and beetles it feeds on.

Toxin Absorption and Immunity

The frog absorbs the insects' toxins into its body, and it is immune to the poison.

Toxin Storage Location

The poison is stored in skin glands just beneath the frog's outer skin layer.

Toxin Transmission Routes

The poison can seep through open wounds, body orifices, and is believed to also seep through the skin's pores.

Predator Defense Efficacy

This defense is especially effective against mammalian and avian predators, and less effective against reptilian predators.

Resistant Predator

Amazonian ground snakes have limited resistance to the frog's poison, and will occasionally attack these frogs.