Variability of alkaloid profiles in Oophaga pumilio (Amphibia: Anura: Dendrobatidae) from western Panama and southern Nicaragua*

Abstract. Ethanol extracts from Oophaga pumilio specimens collected in western Panama (4 populations) and southern Nicaragua (two populations) were analyzed for their alkaloid composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. High variability in the alkaloid profiles among the various populations as well as among individual specimens from Panama and Nicaragua were observed. Since alkaloids in dendrobatid frogs and other anurans are of dietary origin, the various alkaloid profiles found are not representative for certain populations, but are indicative for the availability of prey (mites, ants and other arthropods) containing these chemical compounds selected as food by the frogs in their habitats