This colorful little beauty is commonly known as the "Panamanian Golden Frog", which is in fact a bit of a misnomer as this "frog" is actually a member of Family Bufonidae (the true toads).To be classified in the Family Bufonidae, an amphbian requires a few notable characteristics one of which being the Bidder's Organ. This organ develops at the cranial tip of male and female gonad during the larval stage and contains miniature follicles (small group of cells in which other structures grow) which can later become active.
What's crazy/redículous/cool about this is that Zoologists have experimented with the organs capabilities by casterating male toads early in their developmental stages. After stripping the toads of their manhood, the Bidder's organ enlarged and produced viable oocytes (egg cells). The organ also produced gonadotropins, which are hormones that stimulate the growth of Müllerian ducts to form the uterus and oviducts. Without the testes, the male toads developed into fully functional females! Simply nuts...
Getting back to the main topic.... The Panamanian Golden Frog is a small diurnal (active during the day) frog, about 1.4 inches, which and is found in the mountainous regions of Western-Central Panamá, specifically in the viscinity of El Valle. Just like other members of the Genus Atelopus, the Golden Frog prefers a habitat near running streams and waterfalls.
Due to the loud acoustics of the environment, and the fact that Golden frog's lack a tympanum (hearing structure which aids in sound transmission to the inner ear), they have evolved a splendiferous method of communication. This method of communication, paired with vocalized calls, and changes in body orientation are utilized to alert potential intruders of their wrondoing and to impress potential mates.
The Wave (it's a modified wave which utilizes on of the front feet, it's in the vein of the "we're in class so I'm going to do an awkward half wave" ...yeah that one)
check it -, and of course that is the one and only, Sir David Attenborough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1FWQvaBoRg
The video also show's the Golden Frog's response to territorial intruders: Good ol' fashion Wrestling. However their are no steroids involved and the intent isn't malicious... rather it is to demonstrate the territorial parameters via physical strength, kind of like king of the hill at recess. Interestingly, during the periods of drought (generally December-April) the Golden frogs reduce their territory size to allow other Frogs to occupy the streamside habitat. However, once the rainy season starts up, and the streams return to their full state, the territories expand and the wrestling starts up once again.
One more fun facto to include about Atelopus zeteki, is the presence of zetekitoxin in their skin. Zetekitoxin is a toxin closely related to tetrodotoxin, the potent neurotoxin (with not antidote) which blocks action potentials in nerves by binding to pores of sodium channels in nerve cell membranes. The blockage of action potentials inhibits the ability of myocytes (muscle cells) to contract, thus limiting muscle movement to the point of paralysis.
Symptoms pop up within 30 minutes and begin with steadily intensifying paresthesia (sensation of tickling, prickling, or numbness of a person's skin - i.e. when a limb "falls asleep"), drooling, sweating, followed by a number of possible symptoms: seizures, diarrhea, convulsions, and finally total paralysis. However, the victim may be conscious and completely lucid in this parlysis state up until death (usually within 4-6 hours).
Risque culinary enthusiasts often risk these symptoms to enjoy "sushimi fugu", or raw pufferfish And yes, the taste is to die for.
Zetekitoxin however, isn't quite as well understood as tetrodotoxin due to the relatively low number of Atelopus zeteki surviving today. However to put it into perspective, the skin of a single Panamanian Golden Frog is potent enough to kill 1,200 mice. It is believed that the production of this toxin is facilitated via symbiotic bacteria, however more study is required to understand this potent toxin.
Sadly, the Panamanian Golden Frog is listed as Critically Endangered due to a number of blows including deforestation, habitat destruction, and possibly the most lethal: Chytridiomycosis, which have decimated the wild populations. It is in fact believed that the wild populations have been completely wiped out due to these factors and captive populations are the thread of life keeping this species from slipping into extinction.
It's a tragic trend which has repeated throughout amphibian populations across the world and continues to push species to the brink of extinction. To find out more check out the links, or look up the "Panamanian Amphibian Rescue & Conservation Project" on facebook.
Gracias a...
http://www.amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?where-genus=Atelopus&where-species=zeteki
