Amatola toad
| Amatola toad | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Bufonidae |
| Genus: | Vandijkophrynus |
| Species: | V. amatolicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Vandijkophrynus amatolicus (Hewitt, 1925) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Bufo angusticeps amatolica Hewitt, 1925 | |
The Amatola toad (Vandijkophrynus amatolicus) is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, where it is known from the Winterberg and Amathole Mountains.[1][2][3] The specific name refers to the type locality, "Amatola Range, near Hogsback".[2][4]
Description
Amatola toads are small toads, with females reaching 38 mm (1.5 in) in snout–vent length. The dorsum is usually uniform dark grey or olive-brown with a distinct, pale, vertebral stripe. Parotoid glands are well developed. There are numerous small, flattened warts on the dorsal surface. The tadpoles are brown in colour.[3][4]
Habitat and conservation
Its natural habitats are high-altitude moist grasslands. Reproduction takes place in shallow temporary pools and seepages,[1] including pools formed in vehicle tracks.[3]
The species is known to congregate in large numbers to breed. However, it was not observed in 1998–2009 despite numerous searches, and the species was feared to be extinct.[1] In 2011, an adult female and many tadpoles were again discovered, on a site that had been searched before. Detection seems to require suitable weather, i.e., heavy rains that trigger breeding.[3]
The main threats to Amatola toad are loss of grassland through afforestation, overgrazing, and fires.[1] Forestry vehicle use during the breeding season can be detrimental to the tadpoles and breeding adults.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 South African Frog Re-assessment Group (SA-FRoG), IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2010). "Vandijkophrynus amatolicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) 2010: e.T3176A9651632. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Vandijkophrynus amatolicus (Hewitt, 1925)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Tarrant, Jeanne & Michael J. Cunningham (2011). "Rediscovery of the elusive Amatola Toad Vandijkophrynus amatolicus: twice seen in twenty-six years" (PDF). African Herp News 55 (December 2011): 1–6.
- 1 2 R.C. Boycott (2014). "Vandijkophrynus amatolicus (Hewitt, 1925)". African Amphibians. Retrieved 19 December 2015.