Other
Auratus-Morphs.com is a collaborative attempt amongst North American dart frog hobbyists and breeders to identify the many morphs of Dendrobates auratus that are present in the hobby. This morph guide is not a field guide for populations of D. auartus found in the wild. Nor does this website describe the morphs or names given to morphs in other parts of the world. And so it is the case that you have heard about or come across other morphs of dendrobates auratus, some of which are mentioned on this page. If you have pictures or information about these morphs, please contact us at [email protected]
Kuna Yala
This morph may not actually be present in the hobby. Originating from the Caribbean lowlands of eastern Panama in the Kuna Yala territory, this morph is notoriously difficult to find both in the wild and in the hobby. Adults of this striking morph display a very dark brown, nearly black background coloration, with a cream-white pattern. Hobbyists may have confused some similarly patterned individuals from the campana populations with this morph and retailers of wild collected frogs may have mistakenly identified some auratus as Kuna Yala, but there is no evidence that this morph has entered the North American hobby.
Pastores
A Caribbean morph of auratus mentioned on other morph guides. This would be a large green and black auratus from Isla Pastores, Panama which is in close proximity to Bocas del Toro.
San felix
This morph appears very similar to the Ancon Hill morph, but is from a separate site along the Rio San Felix in Panama. In general, this morph would simply be a site specific frog from within the 'canal zone' population, as is the 'Ancon Hill' morph.
Albino
Albinism is not a morph but a genetic mutation where there is a partial or total lack of the color pigment melanin in the eyes and skin. Any dendrobates auratus morph can produce an albino individual. While these individuals are a curiosity and can be appreciated for what they are, the consensus in the hobby is to not line breed albino individuals in an attempt to purposely pass on the genetic trait and create an albino line.
Kuna Yala
This morph may not actually be present in the hobby. Originating from the Caribbean lowlands of eastern Panama in the Kuna Yala territory, this morph is notoriously difficult to find both in the wild and in the hobby. Adults of this striking morph display a very dark brown, nearly black background coloration, with a cream-white pattern. Hobbyists may have confused some similarly patterned individuals from the campana populations with this morph and retailers of wild collected frogs may have mistakenly identified some auratus as Kuna Yala, but there is no evidence that this morph has entered the North American hobby.
Pastores
A Caribbean morph of auratus mentioned on other morph guides. This would be a large green and black auratus from Isla Pastores, Panama which is in close proximity to Bocas del Toro.
San felix
This morph appears very similar to the Ancon Hill morph, but is from a separate site along the Rio San Felix in Panama. In general, this morph would simply be a site specific frog from within the 'canal zone' population, as is the 'Ancon Hill' morph.
Albino
Albinism is not a morph but a genetic mutation where there is a partial or total lack of the color pigment melanin in the eyes and skin. Any dendrobates auratus morph can produce an albino individual. While these individuals are a curiosity and can be appreciated for what they are, the consensus in the hobby is to not line breed albino individuals in an attempt to purposely pass on the genetic trait and create an albino line.
