| Discovery | Kneller, M. & K. Henle (1985): Ein neuer Blattsteiger-Frosch (Salientia: Dendrobatidae: Phyllobates) aus Peru. Salamandra 21(1): 62-69. |
| Type locality | 'km 26 Carretera Tarapoto Yurimaguas, Departamento San Martin, Peru, ca. 700 m NN' |
| Holotype | In the 'Zoologischen Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig' in Bonn, Germany. Holotype: ZFMK 41 507 and syntypes: ZFMK 41 508-41 510, all collected by Matthias and Ingeborg Kneller on 20 April 1981. |
| Etymology | azur= blue and venter, ventris (L.)= belly, referring to the bright blue belly. |
| Classification | Epipedobates azureiventris is a member of the Epipedobates pictus-group |
| Synonymy | German name: Blaubauch Blattsteigerfrosch? English name: Sky-Blue Poison Frog Phyllobates azureiventris |
| History | Kneller and Henle described this species in 1985, as Phyllobates azureiventris, based on material collected by Matthias Kneller and his wife in April 1981 on the eastern slope of the Andes near Tarapoto in the department San Martin in Peru. They compared their material to the known species from the Phyllobates bicolor-group, although they all appear on the western slopes of the Andes. At this time the genus Epipedobates had not been described. This was done by Myers in 1987, who added Phyllobates azureiventris to this genus. Zimmermann and Zimmermann (1988) added this species to the Epipedobates pictus-group based on their behaviour. Henle (1992) remarks that the call and the way the eggs are laid is similar to species from the genus Phyllobates. Based on the distribution P.azureiventris is nowadays seen as a member of Epipedobates by everyone. |
| Physical description | Epipedobates azureiventris is a small species about 27,5 mm. The males are a bit smaller then the females. The skin and upper side of the legs are granular, the ventral skin is smooth. The teeth are strongly reduced. The snout, seen from the side, is pointed and seen from above rounded. The eye has about twice the diameter of the tympanum (ear). Above the tympanum is a small pleat of skin. The fingertips are relatively small and the webbings are absent. The first finger is longer then the second. Iris, head, back and flanks are black. On the back there are two dorsolateral stripes from the snout, over the top of the eye, along the back to the upper thigh. A second yellow stripe goes from the snout to and over the front leg and a third yellow stripe goes from loin up over the flank. The forearms and hind legs are black and green marbled. Throat, belly and underside of the limbs are black and clear blue marbled. |
| Distribution | Epipedobates azureiventris is only known from the type locality in Peru. |
| Biotope | The biotope of Epipedobates azureiventris is on the eastern slopes of the Andes about 700 m elevation. Without exception the known specimens have been found on shady locations in primary tropical rainforest. Here they can be found in the leave litter on the bottom near fallen trees. The air temperature was 24°C and the humidity 95%, measured by Kneller in the early afternoon in April at the beginning of the rainy season. |
| Care and breeding | Epipedobates azureiventris has to be kept in a so-called tropical rainforest vivarium of about 50 x 40 x 40 cm for a couple. Decoration is moist absorbing material on the bottom and walls and a piece of wood and some plants like bromeliads, marantaceae etc. A water part where they can bring the larvae is recommendable. They feed on fruit flies, but also eat small crickets and other small insects. As soon as the male calls his 40 seconds loud call, breeding is occurring. The 10-17 eggs are laid on leaves of bromeliads and in hollows (like a petri dish under a coconut).The eggs hatch in about 14 days and are well guarded by the male, who takes the tadpoles to the open water. The tadpoles can be raised together. After six weeks the metamorphosis is complete and the froglets will be about 1 cm. |
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