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Amatola toad

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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. ^ a b c d e IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group.; South African Frog Re-assessment Group; et al. (SA-FRoG) (2017). "Vandijkophrynus amatolicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T3176A77163458. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T3176A77163458.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b 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.
  3. ^ a b c d e 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  4. ^ a b R.C. Boycott (2014). "Vandijkophrynus amatolicus (Hewitt, 1925)". African Amphibians. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
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Amatola toad: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

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. The specific name refers to the type locality, "Amatola Range, near Hogsback".

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Wikipedia authors and editors
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