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Favorite Quotes from Others

In the context of naming newly found Tinctorius morphs we have these two.

Number 1. The "experts" say:

The correct name of this morph should therefore be called: Local form most similar to the Holotype for Dendrobates tinctorius.

  • Meaning: Simply apply the name that most closely matches the appearance of another one already named. This is naming by color morph as we do.
Number 2. The "experts" say:
"Furthermore there are terms such as variety, variant, race and others more. These [sic] are no [sic] systematic categories but only serve to express variability within species. Terrarium keepers often like to hang on to the vernacular names [i.e., UNofficial names] associated with these, as is the case, for example, for the MULTITUDE OF VARIETIES of the polymorphic species Tinctorius [e.g., UN-official names such as Patrica, Azureus, Powder Grey, Azureus...] . This practice [of relying on common hobby names as if they were official] may  sometimes lead to misunderstandings and misconceptions, and from the viewpoint of nomenclature [i.e., correct names] is utter nonsense. [Bracketed language to aid with clarity.]

FAQ & Q(?) OF THE WEEK

Week ending:

January 28, 2017

I know your frogs are all captive bred, good, is there a website where I can go and see some of the frogs lineages you have actually in photos from the wild?

Sure. Check out Tinctorius.ch. It has the best display of tinctorius morphs we have ever seen in one place, and it showcases the natural variability of the tinctorius. Look at our frogs and you will find ALL of them there as NATURAL variations. Thanks for the Q! (Tinctorius.ch is a German site. Try Google Translate to read it in the English language.)

For example, from Tinctorius.ch:
The term 'nominat' is widespread and common, but unfortunately scientifically wrong. In Tinctorius there is no taxonomic structure which requires the use of this term (only species subdivided into subspecies have a nominate form), otherwise the scientific name would have to contain two subordinate names, namely Dendrobates tinctorius tinctorius.

The correct name of this morph should therefore be called: Local form most similar to the Holotype for Dendrobates tinctorius. [Italicized Emphasis added]
Here again we re-emphasize the plain fact, not one variety of tinctorius is any different than any other from an official classification standpoint. They simply look different just like people do, but the same species.

How does anybody know what to call them for reference purposes?

The experts say apply the name that most closely matches the appearance of another one already named. (See, the italicized paragraph above.) This is naming by color morph as we do.
January 21, 2017

What's the lineage, origin or source of your ...?


Hello {},

We published our line data years ago and have since decided not to provide it. When we bought most all of the "top" lines years ago we found out some of them were simply not the best. We found out with the best information and chose not to reveal what we discovered, or any line data going forward fully aware that a notable piece of it in the hobby was inaccurate, or just plain bogus.

Now that we have determined the best-of-the-best lines (and same-species, same-variety, 100% breeding true parents) and only sell them, we do not disclose what it took to get here. This is on advice of our corporate intellectual property counsel. Also, American business companies typically do not share what keeps them ahead in the market. We do understand this does not sit well with some, and can fully appreciate the utility of such information because we possess it, we also see the value others cannot.

The underlying difference is a hobby may share their line data from a small (or large) pool of frogs, but the inbreeding is high there as well because many choose not to accept the truth about that species.  The Tinctorius for example, is a single species of frogs with many color morphs. Many choose not to accept the truth about that species.  Others advocate wild capture for the pet trade even through wild frogs do have wild jungle diseases, in addition to the illegality of such actions. Capturing more wild frogs from the jungle for more color is not okay. It is unlawful.

We are a professional breeder as part of a diversified business, most of it not in frogs, but these frogs are our passion. We produce the best "pure" genetics around, and truly love what we do!

Have a great day and thanks for the Question!

Team USA  Frog

January 14, 2017

Do you provide a full record of the lineage of each frog you sell? In other words, if I buy a frog from you, do you provide all the records necessary for me to trace every generation all the way back to the original population/location?
Thanks.

We have most of that information, but we do not provide it to the public. The reason for this is we had procured virtually all of the famous lines when we started and bred them from there. We discovered not all of the famous lines are good, and there are a LOT of lies out there being spun for money. Also, sharing what we found in the way of "bad lines", knowing we do not breed any of those lines, could disparage another directly and we do not play that hobby game.

Here is our corporate statement on locale.

Team USA Frog

***

As a company, we view frogs as pets, and define frog variety by color morph. 

Ask any scientist about the possibility of re-introducing captive dart frogs into the wild, and they will tell you that is something the scientific community will never endorse.  Once a frog enters captivity as a pet, it and all of its future progeny will forevermore be regarded as pets by science, at least with regard to re-introduction into the wild.  Removing any animal from the wild is simply a one way street, unless of course the issue is one of rehabilitation, etc.  While some view the captive breeding of these frogs to be an extension of the preservation of wild species, this notion is simply not the reality. 

With legal importations of dart frogs becoming less and less common due to habitat preservation, the captive population of these frogs will continue to increasingly rely on captive breeding to sustain itself.  We therefore view the captive breeding of these frogs not as a means to try and preserve a wild species, but as a means to ensure the continued health and survival of these frogs in captivity, hopefully indefinitely, as the coolest and some of the most beautiful pets in the world.  

Many people in this industry define (or claim to define) frog variety by locale, and advocate for captive breeding to only take place within recognized locales.  We see two major problems with this approach.  The first is simply the complete lack of detailed locality data available for the vast majority of frogs comprising the captive population worldwide, and the second is the long-term effect of breeding frogs within these supposed locales, assuming the data is available. 

While locality data certainly exists to a more complete extent among a relatively small number of die-hard hobbyists, nearly all of the frogs in captivity are bred, bought, and sold simply under a few recognized trade names with zero scientific or official significance whatsoever.  Specific locality data correlating a wild population of frogs to the captive frogs in question is extremely rare. 

Furthermore, even assuming locality data was available for a significant portion of the captive frog population, breeding frogs exclusively within these locales would over time compromise (or continue to compromise) the health and quality of the animals themselves.  Inbreeding is a well established principle with respect to animal genetics.  Animals that become inbred show a universal decline in overall health and vitality, from fertility rates to longevity to disease resistance.  There is also a genetic principle know as "hybrid vigor", where in some cases when animals of two different varieties or strains, but the same species, are bred together the result is an animal that exhibits an increase in overall health, in many of the same aspects as inbred animals show a decrease in health.

As far as our approach to captive dart frog breeding, we simply breed for color morphs, always stay within the scientifically recognized species, and most importantly avoid the perpetuation of inbreeding in cases where the hardiness of a certain variety of frogs has suffered due to being inbred over time by other breeders.  The result of this approach, after being carried out on literally tens of thousands of frogs, is that it not only produces animals that look and sell better, but are also hardier and better equipped for survival, both as individuals within their own lifespan, and on into the future in the form of the many offspring they produce.  We believe that if more breeders in this industry took this approach (and we are already seeing a shift in that direction), the results would transform both the growth of the industry, and the future prosperity of the captive dart frog population as a whole.

USA Frog, inc.
Dillon Wascher, President


January 7, 2017

Why do you breed for colorful Tinctorius and not stay within the standard hobby lines and the new imports?
Wild dart frogs are subject to endangerment in the wild, AND the NUMBER ONE (#1) global threat to them in the wild is man's illegal harvest for the pet trade. As such, common sense says: "greater demand means greater temptation to pillage them from the wild for cash." (Sadly, some frog scientists actually ADVOCATE wild capture for the pet trade,...SHOCKING!)

Therefore:
To much reliance on hobby lines encourages in-breeding.
  • USA Frog has all of the top lines and only offer offspring from the best-of-the-best intra-variety (both parents of the same variety), we have actually proven IN-HOUSE with offspring to be of the best-of-the-best, GUARANTEED!
The problem with the imports is they do have ties to the wild. As these frogs continue to increase as the BEST pets and gain in popularity, then greater demand is the result according to simple supply and demand economics. Unfortunately, mankind has a notoriously repeatable history for pillaging natural resources in exchange for money. Wild dart frogs are not immune from this eco-piracy.
  • USA Frog is wholly against the harvesting of wild rain forest species of any kind for any reason, including the pet trade and even science.
We stand behind our conviction and support of conservation and preservation of wild rain forest species everywhere.
  • We produce the most beautiful frogs in the world, from perfectly sustainable breeding stock already in the pet trade and in house with us.
We do this, we believe the right thing, in hopes people see these frogs as the amazing pets they are, and not trophies, or not a historical idol, and not an upper-crust pet, but super fun for young and old. Enjoy!

Team USA Frog

P.S. If you do only want the CLASSIC frogs we have those in abundance, amazing and awesome, every one!

December 31, 2016

Do you, USA Frog, REQUIRE me to pickup my frogs at a FedEx location?

No. We require pickup, sometimes and seldom, when it is very cold, i.e., below 20. Our best in the business packaging let's us safely ship when others cannot. Ask around, how many frog sellers use COOLERS with lids to ship frogs?  Answer: NOBODY, but USA Frog, and the leadership trends continue...

We hope you understand, but we do consider the frogs first and always first. We do not sell to those who do not have a similar thought pattern, i.e., frog safety first. Otherwise, MOST of the time, our shipments go to your door, and we ALWAYS coordinate with you for delivery.

As a fact: About 95% of our retail shipments, and over 50% of our Wholesale shipments go to the door.

Further, we usually require pickup when: 1. We send over 100 frogs at a time and that is quite often, and/or 2. Times of the year like this [today's date is January 5, 2017] when the weather can be unpredictable, especially here.

In Eugene, Oregon we do enjoy superb Rain Forest conditions, and the frogs LOVE it. Still, like any rain forest the precipitation patterns can be weird. That makes for an unpredictable winter too. The geographical reason for this is we are between the Pacific Coast to the West, two mountain ranges to the East, the world class Columbia River to the North, and down to the bend of California to the South. As such, the weather fluctuates, but in winter the fluctuation (e.g., temperature swing) is on the low end of the thermometer.