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Ranitomeya fulgurita Silverstone, 1975, see also Jungfer et al., 1996

Call
Distribution: Eastern Cordilleras in Panamá, and lowlands in western Colombia, departments of Antioquia, Chocó, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca. In the south it is replaced by R. viridis. Found at elevations from nearly sea level to 900 meters above sea level (report in Risaralda). View type locality in Google Maps.
Ecology: This is a small species that inhabits primary and secondary forests in the Northern Pacific lowlands of Colombia and Panamá. They can be seen in the leaf litter or in leaves or axils of Araceae or Heliconia up to 1.5 meters above ground, and can be found by the soft buzz call given by the male. The females lay small clutches of 1 to 5 eggs which are carried by the male and deposited individually or in small groups in phytotelmata.
Phylogenetic status: Belongs to the minuta group of Ranitomeya, and its closely related with R. minuta, altobueyensis, and viridis, and its sympatric with all them throughout its range.
Conservation status: This species has never been exported in substantial numbers, mostly due their spotty distribution and low population densities. However, some have been exported in illegal shipments of Oophaga histrionica and Phyllobates bicolor from Colombia, or O. pumilio in Panamá. As they are easy to breed in captivity and the demand for this tiny species is small, there are not risks of large-scale smuggling at the moment.

-contributed by D. Mejia


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