Allobates


Allobates is a genus of frogs in the family Aromobatidae. They are native to the Central and South Americas, from Nicaragua to Bolivia and Brazil, with one species on Martinique.

Description and ecology

Species of the genus Allobates are mostly small frogs. Dorsal colouration is cryptic, with the exception of the Allobates femoralis group that has bright colours. They are mostly terrestrial frogs found in the leaf litter of tropical rain forests. Most species deposit eggs in the leaf litter; tadpoles are transported to the water on the backs of the parents. Allobates nidicola and Allobates chalcopis, however, have endotrophic tadpoles that develop into froglets in the nest, without entering water.

Taxonomy

There are over 50 species recognised in the genus Allobates: