Oreophoetes sp., La Isla Escondida, Colombia

A poorly composed shot, but I should have some better ones in a later observation of the same species.

If it is correct, this would be the adult male, and as you can see it's not very well camouflaged. This could be an interesting report as it has been described in 2009 in Ecuador and this is the first report I can find from Colombia. Not a shocking report though, as we're only miles away from the Ecuador border.

This paper describes this species as the only one with this spectacular coloration in the genus:
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1665/034.018.0202

comments (6)

Christine Young

Lion

Fantastic find! Posted 6 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

It's also really similar to Oreophoetes peruana. I wonder what's the difference. There seems to be some variability - although maybe that's just between sexes?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9977861 Posted 6 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  That is a really good remark, I hadn't come across that one yet. I was thrown off by the remark that this was the only spectacularly colored one in the genus, which seems false given the species you refer to. I'm thinking it's a better match, I also fastforwarded in the set to see additional photos and if the yellow banding is a key, this is more likely peruana.
  
  I've removed the ID for now. Will do a last verification step with Albert. Thanks! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    You’re welcome :) Posted 6 years ago

Albert Kang

Lion

Ferdy, it is for sure from the genus Oreophoete. Males of this genus have red whereas the females have yellow.
This could either be Oreophoete topoense or Oreophoetes peruana. Will get back to you if I get more definite ID. Posted 6 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! Posted 6 years ago