The American toad is a common species of toad found throughout the eastern United States and Canada. It is divided into three subspecies—the eastern American toad, the dwarf American toad, and the rare Hudson Bay toad. Recent taxonomic treatments place this species in the genus Anaxyrus instead of Bufo.
The Nyika Plateau lies in northern Malawi, with a small portion in north eastern Zambia. Most of it lies at elevations of between 2,100 and 2,200 m, the highest point being 2,605 m (8,547 ft) at Nganda Peak. It is roughly a diamond in shape, with a long north–south axis of about 90 km (56 mi), and an east–west axis of about 50 km (31 mi). It towers above Lake Malawi, and the towns of Livingstonia and Chilumba. Its well-defined north-west escarpment rises about 700 m (2,300 ft) above the north-eastern extremity of the Luangwa Valley, and its similarly prominent south-east escarpment rises about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above the South Rukuru River valley. It is very different in scenery from other parts of Malawi, consisting of rolling hills with little streams in broad valleys, and rough grassland with clumps of pine trees.
A true toad is any member of the family Bufonidae, in the order Anura. This is the only family of anurans in which all members are known as toads, although some may be called frogs. The bufonids now comprise more than 35 genera, Bufo being the most well known.
Boulengerula taitana is a species of caecilian. It is endemic to the Taita Hills region of southeast Kenya.
Arthroleptis xenodactyloides, also known as the dwarf squeaker or Chirinda screeching frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and Malawi, central Mozambique, and eastern Zambia northwards to northeastern Tanzania and the Taita Hills of Kenya; it probably occurs in adjacent Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitats are lowland and montane forests, dense woodlands, grasslands, and swamps. It is locally threatened by habitat loss.
Duttaphrynus atukoralei is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka where it is found on the coastal lowlands of southern half of Sri Lanka below 200 m (660 ft) asl.
Mertensophryne lindneri is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found on the coastal lowlands of eastern Tanzania and northern Mozambique to southeastern Malawi, up to 650 m (2,130 ft) asl. Its habitats are woodlands, thickets, dry forests, farmland, and even rocky outcrops; it tolerates low-intensity cultivation. Its breeding habitat is unknown but presumably includes ponds or streams. It is considered uncommon but also difficult to observe, typically found after heavy rain. The intensification of agriculture and expanding human settlements are considered likely threats to it.
Mertensophryne lonnbergi is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Kenya and known from the highlands on both sides of the Great Rift Valley as well as from Mount Kenya. Its natural habitats are montane grasslands, moorlands, and forest patches; it can survive also on agricultural land. Breeding takes place in small and shallow permanent or semi-permanent pools. It is a reasonably common species, but habitat modification could still be a threat.
Mertensophryne melanopleura is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is known from its type locality, the Upemba National Park in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and from eastern Angola and south of Ndola in northern Zambia.
Mertensophryne mocquardi is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Kenya and known from Mount Kenya, the Kinangop Plateau, and the highlands surrounding Nairobi. The specific name mocquardi refers to François Mocquard, a French herpetologist. It was put in synonymy of Mertensophryne lonnbergi in 1972, but re-validated in 1997.
Mertensophryne nyikae is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the Nyika Plateau of northern Malawi and adjacent northeastern Zambia. Its natural habitats are montane forests and nearby wet, boggy grasslands at approximately 2,500 m (8,200 ft) asl. Breeding takes place in small, shallow pools. Although its range is mostly within relatively well managed protected areas, habitat loss remains a potential threat.
Mertensophryne schmidti is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Democratic Republic of the Congo and only known from the Upemba National Park.
Mertensophryne uzunguensis, also known as the Uzungwe toad, Udzungwa toad, and Udzungwa forest toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Tanzania and found in the Udzungwa Mountains and the Southern Highlands. Its natural habitats are swampy montane grasslands. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by afforestation with pines, overgrazing, and agricultural expansion. Whether its range includes the Udzungwa Mountains National Park is unknown.
Poyntonophrynus vertebralis is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in South Africa, Lesotho, and possibly Botswana and southeastern Zimbabwe. It has many common names: pigmy toad, pygmy toad, flat toad, African dwarf toad, and southern pygmy toad.
Mertensophryne micranotis is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in southeastern Kenya and eastern Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Songo Songo Island. Its natural habitats are lowland forests, dense woodlands, thickets, and the forest-miombo woodland boundaries. It is regularly seen but difficult to detect. It is probably affected by habitat loss caused by agriculture, wood extraction and human settlement.
Mertensophryne is a genus of true toads. They are found in eastern and southern Democratic Republic of Congo to Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, southeastern Zimbabwe, and adjacent Mozambique. Their common names include snouted frogs, Chirinda forest toads, and forest toads. The genus is named for Robert Mertens, German zoologist and herpetologist.
The Chirinda toad, Chrinda forest toad, Mashonaland toad or Boulenger's earless toad is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae with a restricted distribution in eastern Zimbabwe and western Mozambique.
Mertensophryne howelli is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the coast of Tanzania and known from the Mafia Island and Zanzibar. The species is named after professor Jim Howell for his contributions to the herpetology of Tanzania.
The Mahenge toad or Loveridge's forest toad, Mertensophryne loveridgei, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Tanzania; its common name refers to the Mahenge Plateau where it can be found. Its natural habitats are tropical forests and woodlands. It is not considered threatened by the IUCN.
Mertensophryne usambarae is a critically endangered species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the foothills of the East Usambara Mountains, northeastern Tanzania.
