Taxonomic notes: This species comprises the former Ranitomeya biolat and R. lamasi (Brown et al. 2011).

This species' geographic range encompasses the upper Amazonian basin in central eastern and southeastern Peru (regions of Loreto, San Martín, Ucayali, Pasco, Junín, Huánuco, Cusco, Madre de Dios), Brazil (state of Acre) and Bolivia (department of Pando) (Brown et al. 2011). It occurs from 200-1,560 m asl (von May et al. 2008).

It is a diurnal species of premontane, montane and lowland moist secondary tropical forest. It uses the insides of bamboo and phytotelms (water-bearing plants) for breeding where it deposits larvae. It appears to exhibit male-only parental care (von May et al. 2008) with the tadpoles typically consuming soft-bodied mosquito larvae (Trichoprosopon digittatum and Culex sp.) and occasionally predaceous mosquito larvae in the genus Toxorhynchites (von May et al. 2009a, b). Some subpopulations appear to be able to tolerate modified habitats such as coffee plantations and other non-intensive crops. However it does not occur in dense monocultures.

It is a relatively common species where it occurs. Two individuals were recorded (as Ranitomeya sirensis) over 16 person/days in 2007, while 20 individuals were recorded (as Ranitomeya biolat) over 3 person/day surveys in 2007, and ca 50 individuals were recorded (as Ranitomeya lamasi) over 20 person/days in 2006-2007 (von May et al. 2008). However there are a range of colour morphs which may have more isolated and vulnerable subpopulations (Brown et al. 2011).

It is under threat from illegal collecting for the pet trade (von May et al. 2008). Some of the isolated subpopulations with extreme colour morphs may be more vulnerable. It is presumed that wild caught individuals have been illegally exported by tourists; there is no official exportation of the species from Peru. Trade levels are suspected to be low but require further investigation.

This is a relatively adaptable, widespread species, with large areas of suitable habitat remaining. However, localized habitat loss might lead to localized declines in parts of its range. There is disturbance to habitats due to farming, human settlement and selective logging. Individuals have been reported in the pet trade; however, the impact of trade on wild populations of the species is unknown.

It is present in the lowland zone of Yanachaga Chemillén National Park, Reserva Comunal El Sira, Manu National Park, Bahuaja-Sonene National Park and Tambopata National Reserve, Peru. Further research is required into the population status and trends, ecology and how illegal trade may affect this species.

Listed as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and presumed large population. However, some of the more isolated subpopulations may be more vulnerable and more research is required to determine their status.

• Aichinger, M. 1991. A new species of Poison Dart Frog (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from the Serrania de Sira, Peru. Herpetologica: 1-5.
• Brown, J. L., Twomey, E., Amezquita, A., de Souza, M. B., Caldwell, J. P., Lotters, S., von May, R., Melo-Sampaio, P. R., Mejia-Vargas, D., Perez-Pena, P., Pepper, M., Poelman, E. H., Sanchez-Rodriguez, M., and Summers, K. 2011. A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa 3083: 1-120.
• von May, R., Catenazzi, A., Angulo, A., Brown, J.L., Carrillo, J., Chávez, G., Córdova, J.H., Curo, A., Delgado, A., Enciso, M.A., Guttiérez, R., Lehr, E., Martínez, J.L., Martina-Müller, M., Miranda, A., Neira, D.R., Ochoa, J.A., Quiroz, A.J., Rodríguez, D.A., Rodríguez, L.O., Salas, A.W., Seimon, T., Seimon, A., Siu-Ting, K., Suárez, J., Torres, C. and Twomey, E. 2008. Current state of conservation knowledge on threatened amphibian species in Peru. Tropical Conservation Science 1(4): 376-396.
• von May, R., Medina–Müller, M., Donnelly, M.A., & Summers, K. 2008. The tadpole of the bamboo–breeding poison frog Ranitomeya biolat (Anura: Dendrobatidae). Zootaxa 1857: 66–68.
• von May, R., Medina-Müller, M., Donnelly, M.A., & Summers, K. 2009a. Breeding-site selection by the poison frog Ranitomeya biolat in Amazonian bamboo forests: an experimental approach. Canadian Journal of Zoology 87: 453–463.
• von May, R., Reider, K.E., & Summers, K. 2009b. Effect of body size on intraguild predation between tadpoles of bamboo-breeding poison frogs and predaceous mosquito larvae. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 24: 431–435.