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Type: Articles
Published: 2011-10-20
Page range: 39–52
Abstract views: 28
PDF downloaded: 1

A new striking dendrobatid frog (Dendrobatidae: Aromobatinae, Aromobates) from the Venezuelan Andes

Instituto de Biodiversitad Tropical, Apartado Postal 328, 1260 Escazú, Costa Rica
Museo de la Estacion Biologica Rancho Grande, Maracay, Venezuela
National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, Suite A200, 2024 W Main Street, Durham, North Carolina, 27705. U.S.A
Amphibia Aromobates Dendrobatidae Venezuela Trujillo

Abstract

A new striking cloud frog of the genus Aromobates is described from the northwestern portion of the Cordillera de Merida in Venezuela. The new species is unique in several aspects, and its inclusion in Aromobates is supported by molecular analyses. This Aromobates is characterized by the presence of dark dorsolateral stripes, absence of pale dorsolateral, oblique lateral and ventrolateral stripes. Furthermore, it is the only non-aposematic Aromobates having dark to emerald green in life on dorsal surfaces and a highly ornamented pattern at both dorsal and ventral sides. This species is known from a single population in Carache (Trujillo State, Venezuela). Its population, although limited apparently to a small area, seems relatively abundant at the type locality and surroundings.

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