AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Phyllobates lugubris
Lovely Poison Frog
(Schmidt, 1857)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A small, strikingly colored terrestrial poison frog. It features a predominantly jet-black or dark bronze-brown dorsum and flanks, starkly contrasted by two bright, solid dorsolateral stripes that range from vivid yellow and gold to orange, running from the snout over the eyes to the thighs. A distinct white or pale blue line borders the upper lip, extending to the arm joint. The limbs are typically covered in a dense, elegant marbled pattern of greenish-yellow, gold, or blue-green spots over a black background. The ventral surface is smooth and usually displays a dark background mottled with pale turquoise or white spots.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Amphibia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Anura
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Dendrobatidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Phyllobates
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Schmidt, 1857)
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Unknown
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Wet Season
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits the humid, undisturbed leaf litter of lowland and premontane wet forests, primarily along the Caribbean slopes of Central America, from sea level up to roughly 650 meters elevation. It is frequently encountered foraging near small, slow-moving rocky streams, damp ravines, and secondary alluvial forest edges where dense ground cover is present.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Diurnal and strictly terrestrial. Individuals spend daylight hours actively moving across wet leaves searching for prey, retreating under logs or deep tree roots during heat spikes. Males use low-pitched, musical trill vocalizations to communicate from hidden spots on the ground.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Displays structured territory management with territorial spacing mediated primarily via vocal trills. Unlike some highly territorial dendrobatids, physical wrestling matches are less frequent, with spatial segregation being maintained through consistent vocal displays and visual aposematic presence.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Terrestrial leaf litter micro-invertivore, formicid specialist, and diurnal alkaloid-sequestering insectivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Specialized carnivore feeding on tiny leaf litter invertebrates, notably formicine ants, mites, collembolans, and small beetles, from which it sequesters toxic alkaloids. It is avoided by most predators due to chemical defenses, but specialized snakes or large spiders may occasionally prey on them.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Eggs are deposited terrestrially in shaded, damp leaf nests or beneath logs, and are actively guarded by the male. Upon hatching after roughly two weeks, the father allows the tadpoles to climb onto his back using a sticky cutaneous mucus, subsequently transporting them to slow-flowing streams or tiny forest pools to complete metamorphosis.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
2.1 - 2.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
1.4 g - 3.2 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.6 - 12
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
12 - 18 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
12 - 18
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males3 - 6 Years
Females3 - 7 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males are slightly smaller, measuring around 2.1 to 2.3 cm in snout-vent length. They possess a subgular vocal sac and present distinct micro-structures on their vocal anatomy, utilizing resonant trills to secure mates.
Females Multi-lang
Females are slightly larger and conspicuously robust, expanding up to 2.5 cm in total length. They lack vocal infrastructure and display a rounder body profile, heavily filled with eggs during peaks of the wet season.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Possesses aposematic coloration with high-contrast golden or orange lines over a black trunk to signal its unpalatability and toxicity to potential daytime predators like birds and lizards.
Secretes mild levels of defensive steroidal alkaloid batrachotoxins through its cutaneous granular glands when stressed, providing chemical protection against ingestion.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Loss of primary habitat and essential forest floor moisture driven by logging, large-scale banana plantations, and clearing for cattle pastures.
Vulnerability to chemical pesticide pollution running off agricultural borders into low-lying forest floors and slow-moving breeding streams.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Unlike the hyper-toxic Colombian members of the genus Phyllobates, P. lugubris produces significantly lower toxin concentrations, making it much less lethal, yet it shares the same dietary mechanism for synthesizing poison.