Melanophryniscus montevidensis

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Melanophryniscus montevidensis
Melanophryniscus montevidensis01a.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Melanophryniscus
Species:
M. montevidensis
Binomial name
Melanophryniscus montevidensis
(Phillippi, 1902)
Synonyms

Melanophryniscus stelzneri ssp. montevidensis Gallardo, 1991

Contents

Melanophryniscus montevidensis, also called "Darwin's toad," is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae and the genus Melanophryniscus found in Brazil and Uruguay. Like other amphibians in its genus, its bright colors, defensive behavior, and rapid metamorphosis make it stand out. It also has a myriad of chemical compounds on its skin that could be used in biomedical applications. [2]

Darwin's toad is jet black with yellow patches on its back, sides, forelimbs, and ventral. It has a red spot on the ventral side of the thigh and part of the abdomen. The palms of his hands and soles of its feet are also red.

Habitat and Behavior

The Darwin's toad's natural habitats are temperate shrubland, intermittent freshwater marshes, and sandy shores. This species can be found on the coast of the Río de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean, from Santiago Vázquez (Montevideo) to Praia da Alvorada ( Rio Grande do Sul ).

It is generally found in coastal sandbanks with psammophilous vegetation, preferring open areas with vegetation and, occasionally, flooded grasslands. It takes refuge in caves that it builds in the sand among the vegetation. [3]

The Darwin's toad is typically diurnal. It primarily feeds on ants, but will also eat small beetles, springtails and aphids. [2]

Its reproductive activity is short and usually occurs after heavy rains [4] from late spring to early autumn. [2] During the mating season, the males will act territorially. Their vocal repertoire changes and the males will have short fights. [2] They can also be found in winter after heavy rains when the ambient temperature is above 15 °C (59 °F).

When being held by hand, the specimens usually remain motionless with their belly up, displaying their red and yellow coloration. This defensive behavior has been called the Unken reflex. [2]

Conservation Status

The Darwin's toad is considered a Critically Endangered (CR) species in Uruguay and globally Vulnerable (VU) [4] due to habitat loss from urbanization of the areas where it lives. [2] Some models predict a total disappearance of the climatic conditions where this species is distributed, which could cause its extinction by mid-century, due to its reproductive behavior being dependent on rainfall and temperatures in the warm months. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Melanophryniscus</i> Genus of amphibians

Melanophryniscus is a genus of toads in the family Bufonidae. They are found in northern half of Argentina, southern Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Common name South American redbelly toads has been coined for them.

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

The Mexican burrowing toad is the single living representative of the family Rhinophrynidae. It is a unique species in its taxonomy and morphology, with special adaptations to assist them in digging burrows where they spend most of their time. These adaptations include a small pointed snout and face, keratinized structures and a lack of webbing on front limbs, and specialized tongue morphology to assist in feeding on ants and termites underground. The body is nearly equal in width and length. It is a dark brown to black color with a red-orange stripe on its back along with splotches of color on its body. The generic name Rhinophrynus means 'nose-toad', from rhino- (ῥῑνο-), the combining form of the Ancient Greek rhis and phrunē.

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

The Carchi Andes toad is a species of toad endemic to the western slopes of the Andes in northern Ecuador and southern Colombia. It is listed as an endangered species due to a restricted range and habitat loss.

<i>Atelopus ignescens</i> Species of amphibian

Atelopus ignescens, the Jambato toad or Quito stubfoot toad or Jambato harlequin frog, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the northern Andes of Ecuador. This once abundant species was believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2016. The specific name ignescens means "to catch fire," presumably in reference to the orange ventral color of this species.

<i>Rhinella diptycha</i> Species of amphibian

Rhinella diptycha, sometimes referred to as Cope's toad, Schneider's toad, cururu toad, or rococo toad, is a toad found in northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, eastern Bolivia, and eastern and southern Brazil. It is one of three rather similar species sometimes referred to as "cururu toads" in Brazil, the others being R. jimi and R. marina. Like those, R. diptycha is a large toad, females up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in snout–to–vent length and males up to 18 cm (7.1 in).

<i>Rhinella dorbignyi</i> Species of amphibian

Rhinella dorbignyi is a South American species of toad in the family Bufonidae. The specific name, dorbignyi, is in honor of French naturalist Alcide d'Orbigny. Its common name is d'Orbigny's toad or Dorbigny's toad [sic].

<i>Rhaebo glaberrimus</i> Species of amphibian

Rhaebo glaberrimus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. Its common name is Cundinamarca toad, after its type locality, "Bogota", Cundinamarca, although this location is likely to be incorrectly reported. It is found in eastern Amazonian Colombia, including the lower eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental to 1,470 m (4,820 ft) asl, and adjacent Venezuela. Rhaebo ecuadorensis from Ecuador and Peru was formerly confused with this species. It has also been confused with Rhaebo guttatus.

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

The South American common toad is a species complex of toads in the family Bufonidae. They are found throughout the Amazonian South America and eastern Panama. It was originally believed to be a single species, but is now known to represent a complex of more than one.

<i>Melanophryniscus atroluteus</i> Species of amphibian

Melanophryniscus atroluteus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in northeastern Argentina, Uruguay, southern Paraguay, and southern Brazil. While in the past it was considered a subspecies of Melanophryniscus stelzneri, it might rather be conspecific with Melanophryniscus montevidensis. Common name Uruguay redbelly toad has been coined for it.

Melanophryniscus cupreuscapularis is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Argentina. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<i>Melanophryniscus devincenzii</i> Species of amphibian

Melanophryniscus devincenzii is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in Argentina, Uruguay, possibly Brazil, and possibly Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, intermittent rivers, rocky areas, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Melanophryniscus fulvoguttatus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, and intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Melanophryniscus klappenbachi is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in the Gran Chaco in northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, and possibly in Bolivia. Its specific name refers to Miguel Angel Klappenbach, a Uruguayan zoologist.

Melanophryniscus macrogranulosus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to northeastern Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. It was for a long time only known from the type series collected in 1960, until another population was discovered in 2004. This was followed by the rediscovery of population at the type locality as well as few other populations, all in Rio Grande do Sul. Its common name is Torres redbelly toad, after the type locality.

Melanophryniscus pachyrhynus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is known from São Lourenço do Sul in southern Brazil and from Uruguay. Populations in Uruguay were until recently considered a different species and assessed as being vulnerable.

Melanophryniscus sanmartini is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in Uruguay and southernmost Brazil. Its natural habitats are grasslands and rocky outcrops. Reproduction takes place in small streams. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by exotic tree plantations.

Melanophryniscus spectabilis is a species of toads in the family Bufonidae. It is known from western Santa Catarina and southern Paraná states, southern Brazil. The specific name spectabilis refers to the showy color pattern of this species.

<i>Rhinella achavali</i> Species of amphibian

Rhinella achavali is a species of toads in the family Bufonidae that is found in Uruguay and southernmost Brazil.

<i>Melanophryniscus stelzneri</i> Species of amphibian

Melanophryniscus stelzneri, commonly known as the bumblebee toad or black-and-yellow walking toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae which is endemic to Argentina. It is popular in the pet trade.

Melanophryniscus biancae is a species of toads in the family Bufonidae, first found in the Atlantic Forest in Santa Catarina, Brazil. It is found at intermediate-high altitudes and has a phytotelm-breeding reproductive strategy. It is distinguished from its cogenerate species based on differences in snout-vent length; having white and/or yellow spots on its forearms, mouth, belly and cloaca; the pattern and arrangement of warts; and the presence and number of corneous spines. It might be threatened by habitat loss. It was named in honor of Bianca Reinert due to her conservation efforts.

References

  1. ↑ Jose Langone (2004). "Melanophryniscus montevidensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2004: e.T54824A11210277. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T54824A11210277.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Langone, José A. (Mayo 2002). «Melanophryniscus, interesantes sapitos uruguayos». MUSEO NACIONAL DE HISTORIA NATURAL Y ANTROPOLOGIA (4). Consultado el 2023-06-22.
  3. ↑ Manyero, Raúl; Carreira, Santiago (2012). Guía de anfibios del Uruguay. Ediciones de la fuga. pp. 50–51. ISBN   978-9974-8358-0-1.
  4. 1 2 Pereira, Gisela; Elgue, Ernesto; Maneyro, Raúl (2019-11-29). "ANURANS FROM BARRA DE LA LAGUNA DE ROCHA (ROCHA, URUGUAY)". Revista Latinoamericana de Herpetología. 2 (2): 23. doi:10.22201/fc.25942158e.2019.2.76. hdl: 20.500.12008/30592 . ISSN   2594-2158.
  5. ↑ Toranza, Carolina; Brazeiro, Alejandro; Maneyro, Raúl (July 2016). "Anfibios amenazados de Uruguay: efectividad de las áreas protegidas ante el cambio climático". Ecología Austral. 26 (2): 138–149. doi:10.25260/ea.16.26.2.0.136. hdl: 20.500.12008/22628 . ISSN   0327-5477.


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