They are all the same specie, but come from different populations that have been separated by physical barriers such as rivers, mountains, savannas, long enough to have taken on somewhat different color or size characteristics. These are known in the hobby, and among breeders as "morphs," although I think this is a term of convenience to distinguish the different color or size variations and populations and not a bona fide taxonomic term. If we were talking about plants, we might call them a variety. In the case of auratus, and perhaps some other species, the various populations have taken on not only color differences, but often personality differences. (If personality is an appropriate term for a frog other than Kermit.) Some morphs of the same specie are more shy in captivity than others, for instance.

You could also add azureus to the "cobalt" tinctorius. They are now considered just another blue morph of tinctorius rather than a separate specie.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

Dendrobates: auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, tinctorius azureus, leucomelas. Phyllobates: vittatus, terribilis, lugubris. Epipedobates: anthonyi tricolor pasaje. Ranitomeya fantastica, imitator, reticulata. Adelphobates castaneoticus, galactonotus. Oophagia pumilio Bastimentos. (updated systematic nomenclature)

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