NewsLifeToxin-gobbling bacteria may live on poison dart frog skinToxic alkaloids are often antimicrobial, but some bacteria seem to be using them as food Alkaloid chemicals bathe the skins of poison dart frogs (such as the diablito (Oophaga sylvatica) of Ecuador, shown). Some microbes seem to thrive in and even feed off the powerful toxins. Stephanie CatyBy Jake Buehler9 seconds agoPoison? What poison? Some bacteria may treat the powerful toxins bathing poison dart frog skin like a buffet.The alkaloid chemicals that poison dart frogs wield on their skin increase the variety of microbial species living there, researchers report December 4 in Current Biology. Some of those microbes even seem to dine on the potent alkaloids.Poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae) gather and concentrate toxic alkaloids in their bodies from certain poisonous insects and other arthropods in their diet. The chemicals seep out onto the skin and are a potentially lethal deterrent against predators. The alkaloids are also antimicrobial, and biologist Stephanie Caty wondered how they might shape the microbiome on the frogs skin.