Vivariums; Ranitomeya imitator

Attitude in the terrarium :

- Terrarium / Facility:

Rainforest
terrarium recommended from 40x40x60cm rainfall and fogger
climbs gladly
needed for breeding bromeliads. But there are also used photo cans for oviposition. When keeping a group, pay attention to several possible areas, such as plains or breeding plants

- temperatures:

24-26 ° C,
night reduction by 5-6 ° C
annual temperature fluctuation minimal (1-2 ° C)

Humidity:

80-90% (100%)
Rainy season from September to April with a slight fall in January / February

Nutrition:

Usual small food animals
Drosophila, micro-crickets (also somewhat larger), springtails, meadow plankton

trim:

1,1 or small groups. Pay attention to territorial behavior, otherwise oppression until death!

Tips for breeding:

For the mating season an increased humidity (fog / spraying) is necessary.

Place 1-3 eggs per clutch in bromelioma funnels, film cans, but also on the glass panes of the terrarium. Needed to lay eggs perpendicular smooth surfaces.
Zeitigung eggs: 12-16days

Female lays herding eggs for the burbot. However, these can also be fed with aquarium food, Dosophila and mosquito larvae.
Single rearing of tadpole needed because of cannibalism

Ranitomeya Species :

1- Ranitomeya imitator ( Mimic poison frog ) , SCHULTE, 1986 :

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ranitomeya imitator (formerly Dendrobates imitator), is a species of poison dart frog found in the north-central region of eastern Peru. Its common name is mimic poison frog,[1] and it is one of the best known dart frogs.[2] It was discovered in the late 1980s by Rainer Schulte who later split it up into more subspecies; describing each as a specific color morph, and sometimes having a separate behavioral pattern. The acoustics, morphs, and behavior of the species have been extensively researched.[2]

Mimic poison frog

Conservation status :

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

Scientific classification :

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Chordata

Class:Amphibia

Order:Anura

Suborder:Neobatrachia

Family:Dendrobatidae

Genus:Ranitomeya

Species:R. imitator

Binomial name

Ranitomeya imitator
(Schulte, 1986)

Synonyms :

Dendrobates imitator Schulte, 1986

Morphology :

A few of the morphs include, but are not limited to, striped, spotted, Varadero, and banded.[3] The striped morph is the most widely spread, mimicking the striped Ranitomeya variabilis and can be found throughout the lower Huallaga River drainage in Peru.[3] The spotted morph mimics the highland spotted frog Ranitomeya variabilis with mainly blue-green coloration, but can be found in other forms, sometimes in yellow.[3] The aradero morph is a lowland form that lives nearby another but does not resemble it.[3] Last, the banded morph, a mimic of Ranitomeya summersi, lives in much drier climates than the average R. imitator and is most often found in Dieffenbachia and Heliconiaplants.[3]

Toxicity :

Like most other Ranitomeya species, R. imitator has a mild toxicity compared to other poison dart frogs. It produces the potent pumiliotoxin B, but its small size limits the amount of poison it can secrete. Like other poison dart frogs, it does not produce toxin in captivity. It probably gains its poison from consuming toxic insects or other invertebrates in the wild. Frogs of the related genus Phyllobates may derive their toxins from local melyrid beetles of genus Choresine.[4]

Reproduction and parental care :

Ranitomeya imitator and related frogs exhibit a degree of parental care, with the female laying feeder eggs for the tadpoles to eat. This frog is the first amphibian species in which the sexual partners have been shown to be monogamous.[5]

Ownership :

Compared to many other dart frog species, Ranitomeya imitator has relatively large and stable wild populations.[6] However, they are often illegally collected and exported.[7] They have also been imported legally, and multiple captive-bred varieties exist in the pet trade.

Ranitomeya imitator's developmental life stages.

For the external links , refrences click here to read the full wikipedia article

Video :

Ranitomeya imitator "Banded"

Care Articles :

1- Ranitomeya imitator (SCHULTE, 1986)

courtesy to : www.dendrobase.de/index.php

Etymology:

The epithet imitator comes from Latin and means imitator. It refers to the striking similarity of the population described by the type find site with the sympatric occurring R. variabilis . Both types show drawing patterns that are almost identical in shape and color.

Synonyms:
Ranitomeya imitator (G RANT , F ROST , C ALDWELL , G AGLIARDO , H ADDAD , K OK , M EANS , N OONAN , S CHARGEL & HEELER , 2006)
Ranitomeya intermedia (G RANT , F ROST , C ALDWELL , G AGLIARDO , H ADDAD , OK , M EANS , N OONAN , S CHARGEL & W HEELER , 2006)
Dendrobates imitator yurimaguensis (S CHULTE , 1999)
Dendrobates imitator intermedius (S CHULTE , 1999)
Dendrobates imitator (S CHULTE , 1986)

sensu F ROST , 2007

English name: Mimic Poison Frog
German name: Wrong five-strip-tree-climber, two-pointed

System :

Classification:
Amphibia-> Anura-> Dendrobatoidea-> Dendrobatidae-> Dendrobatinae-> Ranitomeya -> Ranitomeya imitator (S CHULTE , 1986)

Note to the scheme:

In the Dendrobates minutus group sensu S ILVERSTONE 1975. There long time as a variant of Dendrobates quinquevittatus sl considered. Described by S CHULTE 1986 as a separate species under Dendrobates imitator . From G RANT ET AL . (2006) in the genus Ranitomeya B AUER 1988 transferred. G RANT divided the new genus into an oestine, Amazonian group (Ventrimaculatus group) and a Westandine group (Minutus group) on the basis of genetic and geographic criteria. The Amazonian species can be genetically and ethologically classified in broad clades (BROWN ET AL., 2006). Among other things, a Vanzolinii clade with Chirp reputation monogamous mating system and optional he Oophagie and a ventrimaculatus clade Summ call polygamous mating system and less pronounced facultative oophagia. R. imitator is classified in the Vanzolinii group S CHULTE (1999) in DendroBase because of the behavioral parameters . This categorization is supported by genetic data (B ROWN ET AL ., 2006). G RANT ET AL . (2006) cited species Ranitomeya intermedia is assynonym to look at R. imitator . Schulte (1999) presented the subspecies - D. imitator yurimaguensis - and - D. imitator intermedius - on their own morphological he shows differences in color and subjective perceived differences between calls. Understandablesonograme or the specification of physical call characteristics are lacking in the creation of their own taxonomic status. There call rate and dominance frequencycan depend on the temperature as well as on the mood of the animals (neutral or aggressive) are purely subjective perceived differences Anzeigerufe as a taxonomic feature certainly critical. The distinction of subspecies or species due to their coloring and drawing patterns is because of the widespread polymorphism within some species of Dendrobatidae (eg Oophaga pumilioand Dendrobates tinctorius ) should also be viewed critically. L ÖTTERS ET AL . (2000) therefore doubt the subspecies status of both populations, as a result of which, as a consequence, several populations of different poison dart frogs would also have to be granted a subspecies status based on these criteria. The differently colored populations are notparapatric or allopatrisch isolated from each other. So there is no reproductive barrier between the different populations. The staining discrepancies between populations are fluid and individual individuals of one population may have a color pattern of the other population (O STROWSKI , pers. Observation). A subdivision into two taxa does not make sense for these reasons either.

Genetic studies of S YMULA ET AL, (2001) showed only very slight differences in the genotypes of the differently colored populations (see Fig.). In part, the differences between individuals within a population are greater than between individuals from different populations (see "Yurimaguas" population in Fig.). The different populations form a strict one monophyletice cladeand are safe as conspezifischto watch. G RANT ET AL . (2006), the populations of the Río Huallaga and Chazuta ( D. imitator intermedia sensu SCHULTE, 1999) nevertheless transferred as a distinct species R. intermedia to the genus Ranitomeya B AUER 1988, without the genetic data of S YMULA ET AL . (2001) or the validity of thetaxonR. intermedia with their own genetic analyzes. The species status of R. intermedia after G RANT is therefore based solely on the inadequate (sub) species criteria of S CHULTE (1999). Because of the points of criticism mentioned, the Taxon R. intermedia should not be regarded as valid and is used by DendroBase as a synonym for R. imitator .

Threat status :

According to IUCN (2007) in the Red List as not endangered (LC = Least Concern) classified. The classification was made on the basis of the widespread distribution and the strong individual populations. The population trend is considered stable and the occurrence of a population in PN Cordillera Azul, the species is still hedged. Due to its adaptability, the species can also use secondary habitats such as roadside margins and extensive plantings, and for that reason may not be considered threatened (O STROWSKI , personal observation).

According to CITES (2006), the species was traded a few times and was officially exported from Peru.

Appendix II of CITES (WA). Annex B of the EU ArtSchVO (EC). According to BArtSchVO, there is a registration, proof and breeding book requirement.

Description :

- size:

Small poison dart frog species with a KRL of 17-22 mm (after S CHULTE , 1999).

- Grooming:

yellow, orange or red head / back light green, light yellow or white legs the whole body is covered with regular black spots 2 black spots on the snout.finger formula: 1 <2 <4 <3, toes formula: 1 <2 <5 <3 <4. Toe 1 well developed. No clear gender differences. Males usually a little smaller and slimmer and with subgular he has a sonic bubble.

Ranitomeya imitator
"Paranapura"

Variation:

Presumably, the species R. imitator , R. ventrimaculata , R. fantastica R. summersi , R. benedicta,and R. variabilis copy each other in Müllerian mimicry (two poisonous species mimic each other). See also S YMULA ET AL . (2001)

R. summersi

Ranitomeya imitator
Huallaga

R. ventrimaculata

R. imitator

D. imitator

R. variabilis

Maturity:

with 11-12 months. The first clutches are often of inferior quality (fungi).

Skin poisons:

S CHULTE (1999) leads for R. imitator histrionicotoxine, Allopumiliotoxin indolizidinee and decahydroquinolinee as skin toxin components.

Behavior (ethology)

General behavior:

Activity
relatively shy in the afternoon and early evening
Carries out strong brood care
strongly territorial

Brood care behavior:

The male transports the hatched larvae phytotelmata. The female provides the larvae withAbortive eggsn (after C HRISTMANN , Volume II: 9)

A brood plant used by Ranitomeya imitator

Habitat :

Type find location of the first description

"km 33, Carretera Tarapoto - Yurimaguas, Departamento San Martín, Peru, 550 m leg.", senu F ROST, 2007

Distribution:

Northeastern parts of Peru,
at 400-800m altitude

Biotope:

R. imitator nominate and orange
Like R. variabilis , with which R. imitator is sometimes sympatric, R. imitator lives in itNominate the mountain rainforests of the Cordillera Oriental. He does not get up far enough. We found animals at altitudes of 600-1000 m. The animals inhabit heliconia in the herbaceous layer of the forests. A couple inhabits a heliconia. Most of the animals are found near the ground at the root base in the sheaths of Heliconia. Calling males could be observed at altitudes up to three meters on the leaves of Heliconia. Not every heliconia is inhabited. Rather, it depends on the fact that the leaf sheath has a certain maturity status and contains a certain amount of water without standing too far from the trunk. In such armpits were always! To find R. imitator . A similar observation was made in an orange form of R. imitator (notR. imitator intermedius).

However, they inhabited pairs of banana trees in a similar way. They also inhabit lower elevations at 350 m altitude where already warmer temperatures prevail. In November in sunny weather 24 degrees at 13.30. It was a half-shaded banana plantation in the secondary forest. Tall trees provided shade. A small stream was available. Lots of foliage and understory but also completely free sunny spots. The R. imitator lived in water-filled leaf sheaths of the bananas. R. imitator Orange should therefore be kept slightly warmer than the green nominate form. R. imitator "Intermedius" inhabits completely different habitats and also needs more heat.

R. imitator"Intermedius"
We found the animals near the Rio Huallaga in the secondary and primary forest. They inhabited the leaves and cabbage and the bases of large trees. The population density was very high. With them lived orange R. fantasticus sympatric which were to be found only in small number and possibly climb higher or live more hidden. The temperature in the shady forest on the ground was about 25 degrees. (O STROVSKI , personal observation)

Biotope of the variant "Paranapura" of the species Ranitomeya imitator

Opened breeding plant of the variant "Paranapura"

Banana plantation near Chazuta, biotope of the orange-colored variant of Ranitomeya imitator ,

Biotope Ranitomeya imitator