 | A rare species found only in Suriname, South America, Dendrobates azureus is one of four species of poison dart frogs in a new display at the Peabody. |
"Are those frogs real? I thought they were plastic!" That's a comment many visitors to the Discovery Room of the Peabody Museum of Natural History have made upon seeing "Jewels from the Rainforest: Poison Dart Frogs."
The new permanent exhibition features four species of dart frogs in a mini-habitat that mimics a rainforest environment, complete with orchids, bromeliads and other tropical plants. A timed misting system provides the needed humidity.
All the frogs are from the captive breeding program for threatened species at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Because frogs and toads are disappearing around the world in record numbers, such breeding programs are helping preserve species as scientists try to determine the cause of the phenomenon.
The amphibians in the Peabody display include the blue poison frog Dendrobates azureus, a rare species found only in Suriname; the dyeing poison frog Dendrobates tinctorius, one of the largest species, found in Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil; the golden poison frog Phyllobates bicolor from Colombia, the second most toxic frog in the world; and the green and black poison frog Dendrobates auratus from Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
The name "poison dart frog" refers to the practices of the Choco Indians of western Colombia, who use two species of these frogs to poison the blowpipe darts with which they hunt the animals they use for food, such as reptiles, birds and mammals.
In the wild, some dart frog species are among the deadliest animals on earth. Their skin is toxic because of the ants and other insects they eat. These insects eat plants that contain poisonous alkaloids. The skin toxins from a wild golden poison frog can cause convulsions, paralysis and death if they enter the blood stream. Their bright colors serve as a warning to would-be predators that the frogs taste bad.
The Peabody frogs, whose diets consist of lab-raised fruit flies and crickets, are not poisonous.
The poison dart frogs are also a source of one of the many beneficial compounds found in rainforests. Scientists have discovered that an extract from the skin of the phantasmal poison frog Epipedrobates tricolor can block pain 200 times more effectively than morphine, and without addiction and other serious side effects. Researchers from Abbott Labs in Chicago have used this compound to develop ABT-594, a new painkiller that they have named "epibatidine" in honor of the frog.
Funding for the exhibit was provided by Fleet Bank.
The Peabody Museum of Natural History, located at 170 Whitney Ave., is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children (3-15) and seniors (65 and over). Parking is available in the Peabody Visitor Parking Lot, entrance off Whitney Ave. one block north of the Museum; follow signs inside the entrance. For directions, events, or other information call (203) 432-5050 or visit the website at www.peabody.yale.edu.
T H I S
Display features hopping, croaking
'Jewels of the Rainforest'
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Faculty elected to prestigious U.S. scholarly societiesSlowly but surely, historic house gets a new home
Yale affiliates honored for work in the arts
Center promoting elderly independence marks 10th year
Summertime at Yale
Italian scholar Guiseppe Mazzotta is named a Sterling Professor Professor
Günter Wagner is appointed the first Alison Richard Professor
Arjun Appadurai is chosen as next term's DeVane Professor
2003 Commencement Information
Federal grant funds researchers' study on risk factors for asthma
Program supports graduate students' language study
Alumni return for weekend celebrations
Former Eli football players to discuss the sport's impact . . .
Conservation leader establishes new scholarship at F&ES
Program will help Chinese leaders plan for sustainable development
Two scholars take work in 'new directions' with Mellon fellowships
UNIVERSITY TEACH-INPediatrician discusses 'paradox' of dyslexia in new book
SOM announces winners of inaugural business competition
Display features hopping, croaking 'Jewels of the Rainforest'
Familiar Bible stories depicted in fabric in new ISM exhibition
Search committee named for Law School Dean
Four undergraduates win nonfiction awards in writing contest
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page