abstract
| - Phyllobates aurotaenia, also known as the Kokoe poison frog, is a species of frog in the Dendrobatidae family. First described by zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1913, Phyllobates aurotaenia is known for being one of the most poisonous frogs in the world. It is the smallest of the poison dart frogs in the Phyllobates genus. It is endemic to the Pacific coast of Colombia. Wild specimens store batrachotoxin in glands in their skin, which can be fatal to humans in doses as small as 100 µg. The unique lethality of their poison is a trait often exploited by certain Native American peoples of Columbia for hunting. The members of this species are characterized by: black dorsums, sometimes covered by orange suffusions; green, yellow, orange, or brownish gold dorsolateral stripes; and black abdomens with blue or green dots. The name Phyllobates aurotaenia is currently applied to two forms: a smaller, large-stripe form and a larger, small-stripe form. These forms are separated by a ravine yet retain the ability to interbreed. The number and range of Phyllobates aurotaenia is declining, primarily due to loss of habitat, and is currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
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