Phantasmal poison frog

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Phantasmal poison frog

Phantasmal poison frog compared to a 50 cent euro coin.
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Dendrobatidae
Genus: Epipedobates
Species: E. tricolor
Binomial name
Epipedobates tricolor

A phantasmal poison frog (Epipedobates tricolor) is a species of poison dart frog. Their natural habitat are the Andean slopes of the central Ecuadorian Bolívar province. They have radiant color, powerful poison, and yet are some of the smallest frogs around, ranging from 1 centimetre (0.39 in) to 4 centimetres (1.6 in). They can live up to 10 years in captivity.[citation needed]

Phantasmal poison frogs have one of the strongest toxins of frogs.[citation needed] Their toxicity is known to be lethal. One of commonly related organisms, the blue triden frog, is frequently confused up with the Phantasmal poison frog.[citation needed]

A chemical extracted from the skin of this species has turned out to be of medicinal use.[1] A painkiller 200-times as potent as morphine, called epibatidine. Secretions from dendrobatids are also showing promise as muscle relaxants and heart stimulants.[2]

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