Variation:

Due to the large distribution area, there are sometimes considerable differences in color in the pattern of the back and throat. Also, the basic color of the dorsums vary. However, considerable variations also occur within a population, so that no variants are named here.

 

Older:

Not known.

 

Maturity:

W ELLS (1980) gives a probable sexual maturity at 4-6 months after the metamorphosis at. Whether the cubs he observed, who left the water in May, actually had already grown up in September, just because none juvenile animals were more detectable remains questionable. In any case, Colostethus talamancae grow very slowly and only reach sexual maturity after 10 to 12 months (O STROWSKI , personal observation).

 

Skin poisons:

Unlike most non-toxic, cryptically-colored Colostethus species, the skin contains C. panamensis tetrodotoxin , a strong neurotoxin (D ALY ET AL ., 1994). D ALY and his research team were able to detectconcentrations of 0.3 to 1.2 μg toxin per frog skin . The LD 50 of tetrodotoxin is 8-20 μg / kg. C. panamensis is thus the only species within the family Dendrobatidae that has been proven despite cryptic he stain is highly toxic. In contrast to other dendrobatid poisons, which are taken up and enriched with small arthropods (S APORITO ET AL ., 2004), the synthesis or accumulation of tetrodotoxin in the frog skin is not yet understood. However, it may be a symbiosis with bacteria that produce the poison.

 

Clutch and larvae

 

Features of scrim:

The eggs, according to HESELHAUS (1988), comprise 20-30 eggs.

 

Characteristics larvae:

C. panamensis larvae have only a small yolk sac. Nevertheless, they still grow significantly on the back of the dam during the rather long transport time. A length increase of up to 40% could be observed (W ELLS , 1980). Many other poison dart frogs transport their larvae over several days on the back before the larvae in phytotelmata are discontinued and usually the larvae grow significantly during this time. O STROWSKI was also able to observe this phenomenon in Dendrobates auratus , Ranitomeya imitator and also Phyllobates lugubris . W ELLSsuspected that the larvae eat when the female is in the water to absorb moisture. Other speculations are that the larvae feed on the skin of the parent or that the skin even produces certain nutrients for larval nutrition. But it could also be a pure water absorption and consequent stretching of the cells, which leads to the growth of the larvae. Precise observations or investigations of this phenomenon are not yet available.

 

Development periods:

Like the eggs of most Dendrobatidae, the eggs probably need 12-16 days depending on the ambient temperature. Young animals end the metamorphosis with a head-trunk length of 12-15 mm, grow rapidly and reach this after 4 to 6 months adult e stage (W ELLS , 1980).

 

Nutrition:

The larvae are  omnivorous and feed in nature mainly from detritus , which accumulates in calmer places in the stream. The larvae are hardly aggresive and not cannibalistic predisposed. With artificial rearing the larvae can be kept together well and feed with usual Zierfischfuttertersorten.

 

Behavior (ethology) :

 

General behavior:

The species is pronounced  riparin ( GANT , 2004). Populations are found only along small or medium streams. The animals are diurnal. In case of disturbances, they often flee directly into the water and swim and dive quite well (O STROWSKI , personal observation).

 

Territorial:

W ELLS (1980) extensively documented the interesting territorial behavior of a population of C. panamensis over a period of several months. In summary, the most important findings are reproduced here. Both females and males form areas and defend them against invaders. However, males occupy larger areas than females. Both sexes show aggressive behavior towards conspecifics regardless of gender. Thus, females could be observed, the males expelled from their territory, as well as males not receptive e female displaced by staples and pressing. The males defend their territories throughout the day by constantly shouting in elevated position on stones. The males are clearly visible and quite conspicuous, as their mostly brilliant white colored bones are clearly visible. These acoustic and visual signals serve to ward off intruders and attract receptive females. If another animal invades the occupied area, the next level of territorial defense takes place. This second level of aggressive behavior starts in males with a reputation of a certain type. In most cases, this so-called "encounter call" suffices to intimidate the adversary or to induce receptive females to react. Only when the invading animal does not leave the area or does not recognize itself as a spawning female, it comes to body contact by jumping. In equally strong animals, this can also come to wrestling, where the animals try to throw each other off the stone or to push the opponent to the ground. Revierbesitzende females behave a little differently because they produce no defense call. They immediately go up to the intruder and usually jump at it immediately. It was found that more females could be observed, the males were driven out by staples, as males clung to the females. Interspecific aggression (cross species) could also be observed. male In equally strong animals, this can also come to wrestling, where the animals try to throw each other off the stone or to push the opponent to the ground. Revierbesitzende females behave a little differently because they produce no defense call. They immediately go up to the intruder and usually jump at it immediately. It was found that more females could be observed, the males were driven out by staples, as males clung to the females. Interspecific aggression (cross species) could also be observed. male In equally strong animals, this can also come to wrestling, where the animals try to throw each other off the stone or to push the opponent to the ground. Revierbesitzende females behave a little differently because they produce no defense call. They immediately go up to the intruder and usually jump at it immediately. It was found that more females could be observed, the males were driven out by staples, as males clung to the females. Interspecific aggression (cross species) could also be observed. male because they do not produce a defense call. They immediately go up to the intruder and usually jump at it immediately. It was found that more females could be observed, the males were driven out by staples, as males clung to the females. Interspecific aggression (cross species) could also be observed. male because they do not produce a defense call. They immediately go up to the intruder and usually jump at it immediately. It was found that more females could be observed, the males were driven out by staples, as males clung to the females. Interspecific aggression (cross species) could also be observed. maleC. panamensis also expelled male Silverstoneia flotator from their sphere of influence. Both species show a very similar defensive response, which probably leads to such superartistic interactions. In these observations, the meanings of the call to Anuren to show territories and avoid unnecessary contact between opponents. 
Interestingly, the social structure of W ELLS changedexamined population during the year. There is a clear difference between dry and wet periods. Within the dry period, the territories of males and females are limited to the immediate vicinity of the residual water. The areas then border directly on the neighboring areas. During the rainy season, the size of the males increases. These then occupy areas further away from the water, which also do not always border on the territories of other animals. In contrast, at the height of the rainy season, the territories of the females partially dissolve completely. The territories of males and females seem to have different functions depending on the season. While the females and males in the dry period probably occupy mainly areas to access to food and wet retreats, this changes significantly in the rainy season. While female areas tend to be dissolved, males grow in size. Males now occupy areas to ensure reproductive success and to monopolize females. However, females now find food and sufficient moisture everywhere and thus need only small or even no more areas.