Classification

      Domain:  Eukarya
 
          Kingdom:  Animalia

               Phylum:  Chordata

                    Class:  Amphibia

                         Order:  Anura

                              Family:  Bufonidae

                                   Genus:  Atelopus
                                                                                   
                                        Species:  zeteki                           Image created by Bryan Johnson

 
Domain:  Eukarya 
The domain eukarya is unique from the other domains (bacteria, archaebacteria) in that it contains organisms with eukaryotic cells.  All eukaryotic cells contain membrane bound organelles, or specific bodies within the cell that are surrounded by their own plasma membrane and carry out a specific function for the cell.  These organelles can include the nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, etc.  Atelopus zeteki is comprised of eukaryotic cells just as all other animalia are, thereby, placing it under the domain eukarya.  An example of another organism under this domain would be Ailuropoda melanoleuca, otherwise known as the Giant Panda.


Kingdom:  Animalia
The kingdom animalia is characterized by all of its members being multicellular as well as heterotrophic on the most basic level of similarity.  Multicellularity means that many cells are not only connected but also communicating with each other in order to form a single functioning organism.  Often times with multicellularity comes specialization where certain cells are designated to carry out specific tasks.  As far as all animalia being heterotrophic, this means that the organisms are unable to produce their own food and must consume their nutrition as indicated by the Greek roots of the word. 

(hetero-) Greek for different, other
(troph-) Greek for feed, grow

In some extremely rare cases of animalia such as the Saltwater Slug, the organism is, in fact, able to participate in photosynthesis as a means of obtaining energy. 

The Panamanian Golden Frog is multicellular with specialized tissues and is, indeed, heterotrophic as it is known to consume small insects and other small invertebrates in its Panamanian habitat.  An example of another organism under the kingdom animalia would be Dreissena polymorpha, otherwise known as the Zebra Mussel.

Phylum:  Chordata
Members of the phylum chordata are characterized by extreme cephalization (distinct head) along with five unique characteristics that are synonymous with the phylum:
-Skeletal Rod known as a Notochord
-Dorsal nerve chord
-Pharyngeal pouches/slits
-Endostyle (Thyroid Gland)
-Postanal Tail
Now, you may be thinking that humans (chordates) do not have postanal tails or skeletal rods!  It is important to know that these characteristics may only appear in the embryonic stages of the organism.  In the case of the Panamanian Golden Frog, the skeletal rod is present in the embryonic stage, the pharyngeal slits and postanal tail are present in the tadpole stage, and the endostyle and dorsal nerve chord are present into adulthood.  Another organism that belongs to the phylum chordata would be Castor canadensis, otherwise known as the North American Beaver.     

Class:  Amphibia
The class amphibia is commonly characterized by the organisms' need for both land and aquatic habitats.  In most cases, eggs are laid in aquatic environments and the larvae mature in the water with the help of gills for breathing.  When the organisms become adults, they develop lungs as well as legs to navigate land habitats.  When it is time to reproduce, the adults return to the water and the process starts over once again.  The Panamanian Golden Frog fits into this life cycle quite well.  Eggs of the frog are laid on substrates in or near streams so the immature tadpoles can develop in the water.  They then undergo metamorphosis and transition on to the land where they have their adult frog morphology.  An example of another organism belonging to the class amphibia is Rana pipiens, otherwise known as the Northern Leopard Frog. 

Order:  Anura
The order anura consists of the frogs and toads.  Frogs are characterized by having long hind legs and smooth skin, and toads are characterized by having slightly shorter forelimbs and rougher skin.  When thinking about what makes the order anura unique, it is useful to break the word down into its Greek roots.  "An-" means not or without and "-ur-" means tail.  From this, we can conclude that organisms in the class anura do not have tails in their adult stage.  In addition to no tails, they commonly have webbed feet and large mouths in proportion to their body.  Atelopus zeteki is known as a "true toad" because of its phylogeny but has the appearance of a frog as its common name implies.  Its long hind legs and smooth skin support it commonly being labeled a frog.  An example of another organism fitting into the order anura would be Aglachnis callidryas, otherwise known as the Red-Eyed Tree Frog.    

Family:  Bufonidae
The family bufonidae is comprised of the "true toads".  The "true toads" have some unique characteristics that set them apart from the other families under the order anura.  All of the bufonidae members possess Bidder's organ; an undeveloped ovary located near the kidney that is only present in males.  In addition, they are missing teeth on their upper and lower jaws and have a highly ossified head, meaning the skin of the head is integrated with the skull bone causing the head to be rather immobile or rigid.  Finally, all of the organisms under this classification contain poison glands that secrete poisons with varying potency depending on the species.  Despite the name, the Panamanian Golden Frog has all of these characteristics which phylogenetically place it with all of the other toads.  In the case of Atelopus zeteki, the poison secreted from its glands is extremely toxic relative to some of its close relatives.  An example of another organism belonging to the family bufonidae would be Chaunus marinus, also known as the Cane Toad. 

Genus:  Atelopus
The genus Atelopus contains frogs that can all be found in Central and South America.  What makes this genus unique is their relatively small size, brilliant display of bright colors on their bodies, and their diurnal behavior - only active during the day.  Furthermore, all the frogs in this genus lack eardrums.  However, they are still able to respond to vocal calls between each other; a rather remarkable feat.  This genus of frogs also has smaller parotoid glands compared to other toad relatives restricting them from forming bumps on their skin.  The Panamanian Golden Frog belongs to this genus because of its small size, vibrant yellow skin, and lack of eardrums just like its closest relatives.  An example of another organism belonging to the genus Atelopus would be Atelopus varius, also known as the Veragoa Stubfoot Toad.    

Species:  Atelopus zeteki
Atelopus zeteki, known as the Panamanian Golden Frog, is unique to the tropical forests of the Central American country Panama.  This species is small in size and exhibits a bright yellow skin with black spots; an indication of its extreme toxicity.  This toxicity comes in the form of a saxitoxin analog known as zetekitoxin AB which can be extremely harmful and even deadly.  The Panamanian Golden Frog has a unique communication method that consists of varying vocal calls and physical actions such as raising its front foot.  Just like many of its closest relatives, the Panamanian Golden Frog is struggling to survive due to the chytrid fungus.  Its current status is critically endangered. 

Below are two phylogenetic trees showing the classification of Atelopus zeteki.  Being that both phylogenetic trees are cladistic in nature, the classification shown takes into account evolution and shared derived characteristics of all organisms including morphological characteristics, physiological characteristics, and molecular characteristics.  This type of phylogeny is preferred by scientists today because of its inclusion of molecular data.  The first tree shows the Panamanian Golden Frog's general classification starting with its domain and proceeding to its family designation.  The second tree is more specific and shows the frog's classification beginning with the family and proceeding to the specific species.  

Image created by Bryan Johnson

Image created by Bryan Johnson

Note:  Unless labeled, all images used under public permission.

To continue on to the Panamanian Golden Frog's habitat, click here.   

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