African giant toad

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African giant toad
Bufo superciliaris.jpg
CITES Appendix I (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Sclerophrys
Species:
S. superciliaris
Binomial name
Sclerophrys superciliaris
(Boulenger, 1888)
Synonyms [1]
  • Amietophrynus superciliaris(Boulenger, 1888)
  • Bufo superciliarisBoulenger, 1888

The African giant toad, Congo toad, or Cameroon toad [1] (Sclerophrys superciliaris) is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. [3] It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, possibly Liberia, and possibly Sierra Leone. The toad's natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, plantations, and heavily degraded former forest. While it is a "least concern" species, it is threatened by habitat loss. [1]

Contents

Taxonomy

The African giant toad appears to be a species complex. Although it is found across western and central Africa, it does not have a single large area of occupancy but occurs in several separate populations. It has been proposed [4] that the species should be divided into three separate taxa, two subspecies and a new species. The proposed subspecies are S. superciliaris superciliaris, found only in the western Lower Guinean forests extending along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Guinea from eastern Benin through Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, and S. superciliaris chevalieri, found in the Upper Guinean forests of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana, and the new species, Sclerophrys channingi , found in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. [4] The latter species has been described as a Batesian mimic of the venomous Gaboon viper. [5]

Description

The African giant toad is a large species with a robust body which is a broad ovoid in shape. It has a short snout, an unridged crown and nearly-vertical sides to the head. The eyes are set close together and the upper eyelid has a pointed edge drawn out into a triangular projection. The tympanum is indistinct but the parotid glands are large. The first finger of the hand is longer than the second one, males having nuptial pads on the first two fingers. On the hind limbs, the toes are short and partially webbed. The skin on the back is either smooth or may bear small warts. The upper surface of the head and body is pale brown, yellowish or pinkish. There is a backwards-pointing V-shaped black mark between the eyes and there are sometimes one or more pairs of dark spots on the back. There is sometimes a thin, pale stripe running along the spine. The sides of the head and body are considerably darker than the upper parts. The underparts are grey speckled with white and there is a thin white line bordering the lower jaw. The limbs are barred with dark bands on a greyish or brownish background and the back of the thigh, and sometimes the flanks, are bright red. [6] The combined effect of this colouration is to make the frog resemble a dead leaf and it is well camouflaged when among the leaf litter on the forest floor. [7] The new species differs from the two subspecies in that the posterior part of the abdomen is a darker colour, the line along the spine is dark and the eyelid processes are less-pointed. It is also distinguished genetically from them. There is a 2.2 to 2.8% variation in the 16S rRNA gene, the gene used for investigation, between it and the two subspecies whereas the subspecies are genetically more similar to each other (0.9 to 1.1%) than either of them is to the new species (A. channingi). [4] A. s. chevalieri is the largest subspecies with adult males having an average snout-to-vent length of 127 mm (5.0 in) while A. s. superciliaris averages 121 mm (4.8 in). The new species is shorter again at 109 mm (4.3 in). Females are rather larger than males. [4]

Distribution and habitat

The African giant toad is native to tropical Central and West Africa. In the western part of its range it is rare and is found in primary forests alongside rivers, but further east it is found in both primary and secondary forests, in dense undergrowth and in cocoa plantations. Here it is more numerous but is still uncommon. [1] Another view is that as this species is nocturnal and is so cryptically-coloured as to be difficult to discern, it may be much more common than is presently thought. [4]

Biology

Little is currently known about the biology of the African giant toad. Breeding probably takes place in the dry season, January to March. Clutches of eggs are laid in streams in areas of relatively calm water, the female probably depositing long strings of eggs wrapped around underwater vegetation. Juveniles have been seen in January in Nigeria, in March in Cameroon, and young toads less than 40 mm (1.6 in) long have been observed in February and the months between May and October in other parts of the range. Prey is likely to consist of invertebrates caught by the toad amongst the leaf-litter or in the water. This toad is known to consume ants and in captivity has eaten snails, insects, other frogs and tadpoles. [4] [7]

Conservation status

The chief threat this toad faces is logging activities which degrade its habitat. This is particularly so in West Africa where it is restricted to primary forests. Elsewhere it seems more adaptable but is still susceptible to the loss of dense tree cover. It used to be collected for the pet trade and even though this is now illegal, it may sometimes still happen. The population trend is unknown, but because of its very wide range and presumed large total population, the IUCN has assessed it as being of "least concern". [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaboon viper</span> Species of snake

The Gaboon viper, also called the Gaboon adder, is a highly venomous viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is the largest member of the genus Bitis, and it has the longest fangs of any venomous snake – up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length – and the highest venom yield of any snake. No subspecies are recognized.

<i>Scotobleps</i> Genus of amphibians

Scotobleps is a monotypic frog genus in the family Arthroleptidae; its sole species is Scotobleps gabonicus, sometimes known as the Gaboon forest frog or Gabon forest frog. It is found in eastern Nigeria, western and southwestern Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, western Gabon, western Republic of the Congo, and western Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its range could extend into the Cabinda Enclave of Angola.

<i>Sclerophrys camerunensis</i> Species of amphibian

Sclerophrys camerunensis is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in southeastern Nigeria, southern Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The record from southwestern Tanzania is uncertain. It is presumed to occur in the Republic of the Congo. Records from West Africa probably refer to Sclerophrys togoensis. Common names Cameroon toad and Oban toad have been coined for this species.

Sclerophrys fuliginata is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. The specific name fuliginata is Latin for "sooty", in reference to the species' appearance of a more or less diffusely uniform exterior color and pattern. It is also known as the Shaba Province toad or sooty toad. It is found in the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, southeastern Tanzania, and northern Zambia.

<i>Sclerophrys funerea</i> Species of amphibian

Sclerophrys funerea is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in west-central Africa, from Gabon, Republic of the Congo, and Angola eastward through the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Its common names are Angola toad or somber toad.

<i>Sclerophrys garmani</i> Species of amphibian

Sclerophrys garmani, also known as Garman's toad or eastern olive toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is widely distributed in East and Southern Africa. However, populations north and south of Tanzania might represent distinct species. If so, the name Sclerophrys garmani would apply to populations from northeastern Africa. Furthermore, its southern boundary towards the range of Sclerophrys poweri in South Africa is also unclear.

Sclerophrys gracilipes is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in southeastern Nigeria and east- and southward to southern Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, northern Republic of the Congo, and northern and northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is also likely to occur in southwestern Central African Republic and in the Cabinda Enclave of Angola. The holotype was collected from the Benito River in what was then French Congo. Common name French Congo toad has been coined for it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guttural toad</span> Species of amphibian

The African common toad or guttural toad is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Réunion, Somalia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, temperate shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, intermittent rivers, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, urban areas, heavily degraded former forest, ponds, and canals and ditches.

The Nile Delta toad or Damietta toad is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Egypt, where it is found from the Nile Delta to as far south as Luxor. Its natural habitats are swamps, freshwater marshes, arable land, urban areas, seasonally flooded agricultural land and canals and ditches.

Sclerophrys latifrons is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, possibly Angola, and possibly Nigeria. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<i>Sclerophrys maculata</i> Species of amphibian

Sclerophrys maculata — commonly known as Hallowell's toad, the flat-backed toad, and the striped toad — is an African member of Bufonidae, the true toad family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berber toad</span> Species of amphibian

The Berber toad, also known as Mauritanian toad, Moroccan toad, pantherine toad or Moorish toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae, which is found in north-western Africa, with an introduced population in southern Spain.

<i>Sclerophrys perreti</i> Species of amphibian

Sclerophrys perreti is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the Idanre Hills in southwestern Nigeria. Sclerophrys perreti is one of the frogs declared as "Lost" in 2010. However, it was re-discovered at its type locality in 2013. Before that, it had not been seen—possibly—since 1970, and with certainty, since 1963. Common name Perret's toad has been coined for it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raucous toad</span> Species of amphibian

The raucous toad, also known as Ranger's toad, is a species of toad from Southern Africa.

<i>Sclerophrys regularis</i> Species of amphibian

Sclerophrys regularis, commonly known as the African common toad, square-marked toad, African toad, Egyptian toad, African bouncing toad and Reuss's toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found widely in the Subsaharan Africa, with its range extending to the oases in Algeria and Libya as well as to northern Nilotic Egypt. Specifically, it is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda.

Sclerophrys tuberosa is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in southeastern Nigeria, Cameroon, southwestern Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo. Common names rough toad, warty toad, and Fernando Po toad have been proposed for it.

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The African tree toad is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in the West and Central Africa from southwestern Nigeria through Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

<i>Sclerophrys</i> Genus of amphibians

Sclerophrys is a genus of "true toads", family Bufonidae, native to Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. Originally, all of these species were classified in the genus Bufo. The genus, originally named Amietophrynus, was split due to large enough taxonomic divergence. Ohler and Dubois showed in 2016 that Sclerophrys capensis Tschudi, 1838 is the same species as Bufo regularis rangeri Hewitt, 1935, the type species of Amietophrynus. Because the former name is older, the implication is that Amietophrynus is a junior synonym of Sclerophrys.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2019). "Sclerophrys superciliaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T46203837A16215747. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T46203837A16215747.en . Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Amietophrynus superciliaris (Boulenger, 1888)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Barej, Michael F.; Schmitz, Andreas; Menegon, Michele; Hillers, Annika; Hinkel, Harald; Böhme, Wolfgang; Rödel, Mark-Oliver (2011). "Dusted off—the African Amietophrynus superciliaris-species complex of giant toads". Zootaxa. 2772: 1–32. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2772.1.1. ISSN   1175-5334.
  5. ↑ Vaughan, E. R.; Teshera, M. S.; Kusamba, C.; Edmonston, T. R.; Greenbaum, E. (2019). "A remarkable example of suspected Batesian mimicry of Gaboon Vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae: Bitis gabonica) by Congolese Giant Toads (Amphibia: Bufonidae: Sclerophrys channingi)". Journal of Natural History. 53 (29–30): 1853–1871. doi:10.1080/00222933.2019.1669730. S2CID   208555305.
  6. ↑ Zimkus, Breda. "Amietophrynus superciliaris". AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  7. 1 2 "African giant toad: Amietophrynus superciliaris". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2014-09-05. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
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