Common Poison-arrow Frog vs Dusky melanomys

Oophaga histrionica compared with Melanomys caliginosus

Key Differences

• Common Poison-arrow Frog is Critically Endangered while Dusky melanomys is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Poison-arrow Frog	Dusky melanomys
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Amphibia (Amphibians)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Anura (Frogs & Toads)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Dendrobatidae (Poison Dart Frogs)	Cricetidae
Genus	Oophaga	Melanomys
Species	Oophaga histrionica	Melanomys caliginosus

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Poison-arrow Frog and Dusky melanomys share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Common Poison-arrow Frog

CR — Critically Endangered

Dusky melanomys

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Poison-arrow Frog	Dusky melanomys
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Poison-arrow Frog

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types spanning the Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Colombia. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Dusky melanomys

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

Common Poison-arrow Frog

<em>Oophaga histrionica</em>, the common poison arrow frog, is a small, brilliantly coloured dendrobatid frog in the family Dendrobatidae, endemic to the lowland and foothill rainforests of Colombia. Like other members of the genus Oophaga, it is aposematically coloured, displaying vivid patterns of red, yellow, black, and white that warn predators of its potent skin toxins, which are derived from the arthropods in its diet. The species is typically terrestrial and diurnal, inhabiting the leaf litter and low vegetation of humid tropical forests where males call to attract females and defend territories. Parental care is well developed, with females transporting tadpoles on their backs to water-filled bromeliads and subsequently feeding them with unfertilised trophic eggs. <em>Oophaga histrionica</em> is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, reflecting severe population declines driven by extensive deforestation, agricultural expansion, and collection for the international pet trade within its restricted Colombian range. Biological traits such as average adult lifespan, precise body dimensions, and detailed dietary composition across its range remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. Conservation measures include habitat protection and captive breeding programmes.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇨🇴 Colombia