DN English magazine issue 1
Atelopus spumarius barbotini
In July 2008, after quite a few years, a number of Atelopus have been imported again, including beautiful Atelopus spumarius barbotini. Import of Atelopus used to occur on a regular basis; but within the hobby, very few have probably survived up to this day. Keeping them alive and well used to be hard enough, and breeding was very difficult indeed. Although some people have succeeded at it, these happy few were experts well-versed in breeding.
Polymorphism of Oophaga histrionica
Oophaga histrionica has many colour variants and by some researchers it is considered a mixture of different species. Just like other species in the genus Oophaga, like the O. pumilio, much of its immense colour variation has been charted. However, the list of known colour variants is hardly representative for the overall colour variation within the Oophaga species. Every year new colour variations, especially of O. Histrionica, are described.
A conservatory terrarium or..?
Several years ago, a long-cherished dream came true with the construction of a conservatory extension to our house. Mainly due to the abundance of light, or daylight, more specifically, a conservatory offers undeniable advantages to growing and tending flowers and plants. In addition to light, warmth and a humid atmosphere are factors contributing to luxuriant and frequent flowering of plants in conservatories.
Requiem for the pool of Méndez
I have been visiting Ecuador on a regular basis since 1992. Throughout my journeys across this country, the pool of Méndez has left a deep impression on me. My adventures have led me to a wide diversity of frog species in all shapes and sizes, which I often saw and heard in great numbers. I have visited this pool many times since. However, improvement of the country’s road infrastructure has brought this small frog’s paradise to an end.
Dendrobatidae Nederlands’ very first nature conservation project
In November 2007 I received a scientific article on a newly described dendrobate from the Colombian Andes. One of the article’s authors, professor Manuel Bernal, was very quick to provide some more pictures and information, enabling DN magazine to devote an article to the subject just before going to press. In addition, he asked in his mail whether Dendrobatidae Nederland might be able to contribute in some way to conserving the habitat of these frogs.
Hyloxalus azureiventris
At one point, they were abundant within the hobby in great numbers. Nonetheless, right up to the onset of 2007, they had been completely unavailable for quite a few years. Bred by many as a highly suitable beginner’s species, and subsequently all but vanished from the broad range of frogs kept by us as hobbyists. Was it due to a lack of interest, or was there another reason after all?
The hobbyist breeder: E. Smid
A year ago, I had offered some Dendrobates tinctorius ‘Bakhuis’ frogs for sale, and it didn’t take long for me to sell them. One of the first to respond was Edwin Smid. When he came by my house to collect the frogs, I recognised him from frog fairs, including the Nijmegen event. You will encounter him at such fairs some seven times a year, selling his own captive breeds at both DN frog fairs, as well as events in Houten, Nijmegen and Antwerp. It was about time for me to answer his visit by paying a return visit.
Peru, the fantastica complex
In a previous (Dutch) volume of this magazine, I have been reporting on one of my journeys in Peru, regarding the rediscovery of Excidobates captivus. I have been very lucky from day one, as I was enabled to accompany the now famous American biologists from the poison frog world: Jason L. Brown, Evan Twomey, and Mark Pepper. During those three months, we have seen and experienced many things; more has in fact been witnessed than has been released until recently. Of late, several species descriptions have been published, allowing me to speak freely of some ‘novel’ jewels.
Get it at our webshop