Epipedobates tricolor
phantasmal poison dart frog
Photo by John Netherton

The phantasmal poison dart frog (Epipedobates tricolor) secretes chemicals called alkaloids. Just like its poison dart frog cousins, the Dendrobatidae, these species could provide people with valuable medicinal compounds. Scientists have already discovered Epipedobatidae secretions that might be used as a sedative more potent than morphine.

A phantasm is an image that is seen but does not actually exist in reality. Given the rampant habitat destruction that threatens the frogs' existence, perhaps this frog's name is a sad omen of things to come, where our only knowledge of rainforest biodiversity will be from images recorded years ago. The Rainforest Alliance believes that humanity will wake up to the crisis of species extinction and act fast to prevent such a dismal scenario. Through our outreach and on-the-ground conservation efforts, we are translating this belief into a reality.