pumilio

Pumilio is a genus of frogs in the family Aromobatidae. The genus name "Pumilio" comes from the Latin word for "dwarf," referring to the small size of many species within this group. These frogs are primarily found in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical regions of South America, with a distribution that includes countries like Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Species within the genus Pumilio are characterized by their small stature, typically measuring less than 2.5 centimeters in length. They are often brightly colored, exhibiting aposematic coloration that warns predators of their toxicity. Many Pumilio frogs possess potent skin toxins, which they sequester from their diet, often consisting of ants and mites. These toxins are primarily used for defense.

Reproduction in Pumilio frogs often involves parental care, with males or females carrying tadpoles on their backs to streams or other suitable aquatic environments for development. Their habitat generally includes humid forests, often near bodies of water such as streams and rivers, where they forage for small invertebrates. Conservation status varies among species, with some facing threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation and agricultural expansion.