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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: A small, dendrobatid (poison frog), without webbing on its feet, with a SVL (snout-vent length) of 30.5-37.5 mm (1.2-1.5 in) (Silverstone, 1975). Adult yellow-banded dart-poison frogs are black dorsally with three broad crossbands colored bright yellow, yellow-orange, or orange; black spots or blotches are often present in the crossbands (Silverstone, 1975; Mattison, 1987a). The yellow or orange limbs often have a variable arrangement of black spots or blotches (Silverstone, 1975). Adult Dendrobates leucomelas are illustrated by a number of authorities (Silverstone, 1975; Zimmerman[n], 1979; Heusser, 1984; Mattison, 1987b; Davies and Davies, 1997; Lamar, 1997; Zweifel, 1998; Pough et al., 2001). There are no illustrations of this species' tadpoles. In Hawaii, Dendrobates auratus, an established exotic dendrobatid (McKeown, 1996), is the only frog similar to D. leucomelas. While variable in pattern, D. auratus normally does not have three, distinct, broad bands of color (McKeown, 1996; also see the species account titled "Dendrobates auratus (Girard, 1955)" on this website).

Size: snout vent length of 30.5-37.5 mm

Native Range: Dendrobates leucomelas is indigenous to the western Guianan region and the northeastern Amazon Basin of South America, including Guyana, Amazonian Colombia, Venezuela, and extreme northern Brazil (Silverstone, 1975; Hoogmoed, 1979; Duellman, 1999).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Unknown; but it is probably a pet release.

Status: Not established.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: The taxonomy of D. leucomelas and other Dendrobates has been reviewed or summarized by several authors (Silverstone, 1975; Myers and Daly, 1983; Frost, 1985; Zimmermann and Zimmermann, 1988; Caldwell, 1996; Summers et al., 1999).  Dendrobates leucomelas is a diurnal frog preferring moist or wet, forested, lowland regions (Silverstone, 1977). Like many members of the genus Dendrobates, they probably derive their skin toxins from the ants that form most of their diet (myrmecophagy: Caldwell, 1996). Reproduction in D. leucomelas is similar to D. auratus in that females compete for mates, the male parent guards the terrestrial eggs in a moist, sheltered microhabitat, and the father transports tadpoles on his back to small pools of water once they have hatched (Zimmermann and Zimmermann, 1988; Summers, 1992; Crump, 1995).

 

An effort should be made to ensure that this single specimen from Honolulu is not a misidentified D. auratus.

The yellow-banded dart-poison frog is a popular species in the commercial pet trade (Zimmerman[n], 1979; Mattison, 1987a, b; Zimmermann, 1986; Davies and Davies, 1997).

References: (click for full references)

Caldwell, J. P. 1996. The evolution of myrmecophagy and its correlates in poison frogs (Family Dendrobatidae). Journal of Zoology (London) 240(1):75-101.

Crump, M. L. 1995. Parental care. Pp. 518-567. In: H. Heatwole (editor). Amphibian Biology. Vol. 2. Social Behaviour. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, Australia. 710 pp.

Davies, R., and V. Davies. 1997. The Reptile & Amphibian Problem Solver. [North American Edition.] Tetra Press, Blacksburg, Virginia. 208 pp.

Duellman, W. E. 1999. Distribution patterns of amphibians in South America. Pp. 255-328. In: W. E. Duellman (editor). Patterns of Distribution of Amphibians. A Global Perspective. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 633 pp.

Frost, D. R. (editor). 1985. Amphibian Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographical Reference. Allen Press, Inc. and The Association of Systematics Collections. Lawrence, Kansas. 732 pp.

Heusser, H. R. 1984. Higher anurans. Pp. 397-456. In: B. Grzimek (editor). Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. Fishes II and Amphibians. English [Reprint] Edition. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York. 555 pp.

Hoogmoed, M. S. 1979. The herpetofauna of the Guianan region. Pp. 241-279. In: W. E. Duellman (editor). The South American herpetofauna: Its origin, evolution, and dispersal. Monograph of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas (7):1-485.

Lamar, W. W. 1997. The World's Most Spectacular Reptiles & Amphibians. World Publications, Tampa. 208 pp.

Mattison, C. 1987a. Frogs & Toads of the World. Facts on File, Inc, New York. 191 pp.

Mattison, C. 1987b. The Care of Reptiles and Amphibians in Captivity. Revised Edition. Blandford Press, London. 317 pp.

McKeown, S. 1996. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians in the Hawaiian Islands. Diamond Head Publishing, Inc., Los Osos, California. 172 pp.

Myers, C. W., and J. W. Daly. 1983. Dart-poison frogs. Scientific American 248(2):120-121, 124-125, 127-133.

Oliver, J. A., and C. E. Shaw. 1953. The amphibians and reptiles of the Hawaiian Islands. Zoologica (New York) 38(5):65-95.

Pough, F. H, R. M. Andrews, J. E. Cadle, M. L. Crump, A. H. Savitzky, and K. D. Wells. 2001 [2000]. Herpetology. Second Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. 612 pp.

Silverstone, P. A. 1975. A revision of the poison-arrow frogs of the genus Dendrobates Wagler. Science Bulletin, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (21):i-iii, 1-55, I-II frontispiece.

Summers, K. 1992. Mating strategies in two species of dart-poison frogs: A comparative study. Animal Behaviour 43(6):907-919.

Summers, K., L. A. Weigt, P. Boag, and E. Bermingham. 1999. The evolution of female parental care in poison frogs of the genus Dendrobates: Evidence from mitochondrial DNA sequences. Herpetologica 55(2):254-270.

Zimmerman[n], H. 1979. Tropical Frogs. [English Translation Edition.] T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune, New Jersey. 93 pp.

Zimmermann, E. 1986. Breeding Terrarium Animals. English-language Edition. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. 384 pp.

Zimmermann, E., and H. Zimmermann. 1988. Etho-Taxonomie und Zoogeographische Artenggruppenbildung bei Pfeilgiftfröschen (Anura: Dendrobatidae). Salamandra 24(2/3):125-160.

Zweifel, R. G. 1998. Frogs & toads. Pp. 76-105. In: H. G. Cogger and R. G. Zweifel (editors). Encyclopedia of Amphibians & Reptiles. Second Edition. Academic Press, San Diego. 240 pp.

Other Resources:
Nonindigenous Species Website Links

Alien Frogs in Hawaii (HEAR Project)

Photos courtesy of Pumilio.com

Author: Somma, L.A.

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.