Anthony's dart frog

Epipedobates anthonyi is a small frog ranging in size from 19 to 26.5 mm. It is characterized by a clear mid-dorsal longitudinal line, present in all populations. The skin is smooth on the back and flanks, with proportionally small eyes and a head as wide as the body. The toes have two dermal discs at their tips.

The main difference between this species and other closely related species, such as Epipedobates espinosai and Epipedobates darwinwallacei, is the presence of a complete lateral oblique line.

The coloration of Epipedobates anthonyi varies significantly among populations:

• In the Puyango and Moromoro populations (El Oro province), individuals are mainly brown, with cream-tinted turquoise dorsolateral lines. The belly is dark brown with light spots or cream with dark brown spots.
• In the Zarayunga population (El Oro province), the dominant coloration is red, accompanied by light turquoise dorsolateral and mid-dorsal lines. The belly is dark reddish-brown with irregular turquoise spots.

In all populations, a lateral oblique line runs from the groin to the eye, and a grayish or cream ventrolateral line runs from groin to the base of the arm. Bright red spots are often present at the groin and on the ventral surface of the hind legs.

Adults are diurnal and terrestrial, often active early in the morning and late afternoon, in dense vegetation near small pools. They mainly feed on small insects.

Reproduction occurs during the rainy season, when males become territorial. The clutch, consisting of 15 to 40 eggs, is laid in leaf litter, and males provide parental care, guarding the eggs for two weeks until hatching. They then transport the tadpoles on their back to a pool or stream, where their larval development is completed.