Atelopus varius

Southern Central America (Costa Rica) south into northwestern South America (Capula, 1989; Staniszewski, 1995).

A.varius inhabits the moist environment of the rainforest floor, from lowlands up to the cloud forests. They often occur in the vicinity of streams, where they breed (Capula, 1989; Hayes et al., no date; Staniszewski, 1995).

Atelopus varius is a small (2.4-- 3.8 cm; 1-- 1.5 in) slim-bodied, pointy-snouted toad of highly variable coloration. Dorsal color is usually black or brown overlaid with a mosaic of spots and streaks that can be almost any combination of orange, red, yellow, blue, or green. Sometimes the lighter colors predominate. The belly is marbled with white, yellow, orange, and/or red. The toes are pointed, without discs (Staniszewski, 1995; Hayes et al., undated).

A.varius reproduces mostly along streams and other sources of moving water. During amplexus, the female deposit 30-- 75 eggs in long strings in shallow water, as the male fertilizes them. The eggs hatch in about 36 hours. Tadpoles have a flattened body and an abdominal sucker which keeps them from being swept away in the current (Capula, 1989; Staniszewski, 1995).

Males lack vocal sacs, and attract females by visual displays which can include leg and head twitching, stamping the ground, and hopping in place (Staniszewski, 1995).

A.varius eats small insects such as flies and gnats (Capula, 1989).

Harlequin toads are popular in the commercial pet trade, despite being very difficult to maintain successfully (Staniszewski, 1995).

They are undoubtedly important insect predators of the forest floor.

A.varius has begun to disappear from places in Costa Rica where it was common only a few years ago, and is considered an endangered species. Its main habitat is rainforest and these forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate; in addition, these little toads may be vulnerable to mysterious fungal infections which seem to be affecting frogs in many parts of the world (Capula, 1989; Staniszewsli, 1995; USGS, 1999). One subspecies, A. v. zeteki, is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Treaty, and is considered endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Levell, 1997).

A.varius has poisonous glandular skin secretions which are toxic or repellent to potential predators. This toad's bright colors undoubtedly serve as a warning of its toxicity (Capula, 1989; Staniszewski, 1995).

This anuran is sometimes called the Harlequin Frog, but its relationship within the true toad family (Bufonidae) seems well-accepted (Staniszewski, 1995).