Analysis of morphological attributes as a driver of trade in poison dart frogs

The unsustainable use of wildlife is a threat to biodiversity on a global scale, and the insatiable demand is driven by the attributes of the species, their parts, and derivatives. However, not all species are equally valued; certain attributes command a higher price. One example is the exotic pet trade in amphibians and reptiles. Poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae) are particularly in demand owing to their vibrant colors and diurnal behavior. Focusing on the dart frog genus Dendrobates, we examined buyer preference for specific attributes. For this, we collected market data from the online trade of Dendrobates and combined these with morphological data. The attribute data collected from online platforms included species, locale, country sold from, company or platform, origin, sex, size, and age. These data were combined with morphological attribute data for each species and locale. We used hedonic price regression analysis to ascertain whether the selected attributes influenced the price of dart frogs. Species, age, region sold from, market rarity, head color, and trunk colors were all predictors of price. With such knowledge, it may be possible to prioritize those species in particular demand to increase the economic return to range states and local communities through livelihood initiatives. Further, it may be possible to anticipate the value of newly described species and identify those that may become threatened through unsustainable trade.