Oriental fire-bellied toad

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Oriental fire-bellied toad
Bombina orientalis Geneve 24102014.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bombinatoridae
Genus: Bombina
Species:
B. orientalis
Binomial name
Bombina orientalis
(Boulenger, 1890)
Synonyms
  • Bombinator orientalis (Boulenger, 1890)
  • Bombina orientalis practicola (Korotkov, 1972)
  • Bombina orientalis silvatica (Korotkov, 1972)

The Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis) is a small semiaquatic frog species found in northeastern Asia, where they primarily dwell in slow-moving bodies of water and temperate forests. Quite common throughout much of their range, these frogs have mild toxins that can be excreted through their skin, with their vibrant underbellies serving as a warning of this. While not a true toad, their green and black skin is covered in small tubercles, giving them a toadlike appearance. Their sounds, mainly produced by males during the mating season, are very unlike those of other frogs. While their population is in decline, their numbers are still high overall, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) rating them as a least-concern species. They are commonly kept as pets in land and water vivaria, as a relatively easy-to-care for species. They are also frequently used in scientific research, with their behavior, vocalizations, and learning skills all moderately studied.

Contents

Etymology

According to the American Museum of Natural History, the red-bellied toad, Chinese bell toad, Oriental bell toad, eastern fire-bellied toad, and Korean fire-bellied toad are all common names that have been used to describe the species at one point or another. [2]

Taxonomy

The Oriental fire-bellied toad was first described by George Albert Boulenger as Bombinator orientalis, who placed it within the same genus as the European fire-bellied toad and the Apennine yellow-bellied toad, noting their many similarities. He considered it an "intermediate" between the latter two species, although he thought it was closer to the Apennine yellow-bellied toad overall. His research was based on 19 specimens housed in the British Museum. The three species have been moved into the genus Bombina in 1907 by Leonhard Stejneger. [3] [4]

The toad was later divided into two subspecies in 1972, B. o. practicola and B. o. silvatica, with the former being more aquatic and the latter more terrestrial, although newer research has found them to display few genetic differences, despite some physical ones. These findings support their classification as a monotypic species, albeit one with multiple morphs that may have diverged rather recently. [5] A population in Beijing, despite having existed for less than a hundred years, has shown signs of evolution at a molecular level, displaying genetic uniqueness from the original population. While genetic diversity is somewhat low, it is still high enough that the Beijing toads may continue to survive. [6]

In the late Quaternary, seismic activity at the Yilan–Yitong fault zone is believed to have split the toad into two subpopulations in its native range, with the much smaller western one having low genetic diversity. In more recent times, gene flow has begun to occur between the two. [7]

Description

A fire-bellied toad showing off the characteristic green and black back with orange toes Oriental fire-bellied toad.jpg
A fire-bellied toad showing off the characteristic green and black back with orange toes

Oriental fire-bellied toads can be bright, grayish, or brownish green, with black mottling on their dorsal regions. Like other Bombina species, B. orientalis has a brightly colored ventral region, which can be yellow, red, or orange-red, mottled with dark spots. [8] The finger and toe tips are usually red. [3] The skin on its upper side is covered in small tubercles, the most pronounced of the genus Bombina. [9] Although it is typically referred to as a toad, the fire-bellied toad is not a true toad. [10] They can reach a length of about 3.8–5.1 centimetres (1.5–2.0 in), weighing about 28–57 grams (0.99–2.01 oz). [11] Males and females can be told apart by the males' nuptial pads on their first and second fingers. [12]

Besides having more noticeable tubercles on their skin, B. orientalis can also be distinguished from other members of Bombina by their lack of gular sacs (like B. pachypus and unlike B. bombina) and nuptial pads (like B. bombina and unlike B. pachypus, although later research has shown that males do in fact have a few, as previously mentioned [12] ). Subtler differences include their belly coloration, which is typically more red than yellow (unlike B. pachypus) and bright finger tips (unlike B. bombina). [3]

Distribution and habitat

The toad can be found in Korea, northeastern Russia, (where they have become rather rare [12] ) and northeastern China, and possibly southern Japan, specifically Tsushima Strait, although the latter is very likely erroneous, as a team of Japanese researchers in the later half of the 20th century was unable to locate any. [13] There is also a somewhat genetically distinct population in Beijing that was introduced from Yantai in Shandong in 1927 by Mr. Liu Cheng-chao. About 200 were released into wetland habitats, where they later bred. [6] There have been multiple reports of escaped specimens in Broward County, Florida, US, mostly in the immediate vicinity of an animal importer's facility. [14] There have been no other reports of such occurrences in the United States, and there are no well-established escaped populations. [15]

They are semiaquatic, generally dwelling in slow-moving streams or ponds. When out of the water, they can often be found in coniferous and broadleaved forests. [11] They can be found at elevations of up to 1,100 metres (3,600 ft). [1] They are very resilient to environmental disturbance, especially compared to other amphibians, and as such can be found living and even breeding in heavily polluted water. [16]

Behavior and ecology

Bombina orientalis are one of the most plentiful amphibians in their native lands, particularly the central part of their range. The toads are diurnal (active during the day), and studies have found that while they can acquire some from their diet, Oriental fire-bellied toads rely partly on sunlight to obtain adequate levels of vitamin D3. [17] [18]

Diet

As larvae, Oriental fire-bellied toads consume algae, fungi, detritus, plants and protozoans. As adults, their diet consists of terrestrial invertebrates, including worms, molluscs and insects. [8] Their diet in the wild contributes to their toxicity, and for that reason, wild specimens have more potent toxins. [19] Oriental fire-bellied toads are incapable of extending their tongues to catch prey, but must instead leap at their target. [8]

Breeding

A mating pair of Oriental fire-bellied toads Pair of Oriental fire-bellied toads.jpg
A mating pair of Oriental fire-bellied toads

Breeding takes place around mid-May, when temperatures become warmer. It is at this time that the toads emerge from hibernation. [12] [11] Males call to the females with a light sound that is comparable to a musical triangle. They will jump onto the backs of any other fire-bellied toad that happens to pass by, which in some cases will cause them to accidentally attempt to mate with other species of amphibians, fish, plants, or even human fingers. Females lay 40 to 110 eggs in a large cluster near the surface of the water. The tadpoles begin to develop legs in 6–8 weeks, and are fully metamorphosed by August or September. [8]

Vocalizations

Unusually for a frog species, the Oriental fire-bellied toad does not have an eardrum or resonator, making their calls by inhaling. [8] The males' light mating calls are similar to those of B. bombina. [12] While vocalizing, males will attempt to space out their calls so as to avoid overlap between different individuals, a behavior also observed in European fire-bellied toads. [20] Females have been found to be quickly attracted to the advertisement call, but not the release call, displaying an ability to differentiate between them. Males typically ignore the advertisement calls, but will approach the source of release calls. In both cases, visual stimuli are also necessary to trigger a reaction. [21] In addition to their lighter sounds, they can also produce a croaking noise. [9]

Predation

Oriental fire-bellied toads can discourage most predators with their poisonous skin, with the bright colors of their undersides warning predators of their toxicity. [11] The toxin is secreted through the skin mostly from the hind legs, and sometimes the belly, in a milky substance when the frog is disturbed or frightened. When producing this substance, the frogs may also lie on their backs to show the color of their bellies, indicating their potential danger, holding up their limbs and arching their heads. [8] [15] This does not always work, and in addition to predation by birds and mammals, grass snakes and other water dwelling snakes are known to the consume the toads without any ill effect. [12] [8]

Research

Bombesin

The skin of Oriental fire-bellied toads contains bombesin, a peptide first isolated from their relatives, European fire-bellied toads (and later other types of frogs, in the genera Rana and Phyllomedusa ). Among other effects, bombesin hinders gastric functions in mammals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and rodents. Later studies on B. orientalis discovered that the peptide came in three separate forms. [22] [23]

Intelligence

Oriental fire-bellied toads are rapid learners, especially compared to other frogs. In an experiment, slightly dehydrated toads were found able solve both simple and more complex mazes using water as a reinforcement, unlike other types of frogs (members of Rana, Bufo , and Hyla simply either did not try or leapt around aimlessly). In a simple T-maze, with their target on the right side, 80% had navigated their way successfully in only three days, with 100% having finished after four days. The left side proved more challenging, with 80% finished in three days, but the rest not done until day eight. [24]

As a model organism

As common amphibians, B. orientalis make excellent model organisms for studying the effects of pollution and toxic chemicals on local environments. Studies involving them having demonstrated the harmful effects of carbaryl (which include bent trunks, thicker-set bodies, bent tails, and ventral blistering) and nonylphenol (which significantly decreased overall survival rates) on amphibian embryonic development. [25] [26]

Conservation status

The oriental fire-bellied toad was listed as least concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature with little threat of extinction, although the population is declining, but not at a significant rate. [1] They occur in many protected areas in China and the Koreas, as well as six Russian nature reserves. The population in the Russian part of their range may be more threatened than others. Dangers include pollution, urbanization, and use in traditional Chinese medicine. [8]

In captivity

Oriental fire-bellied toads in a terrarium Oriental fire-bellied toads at the terrarium.jpg
Oriental fire-bellied toads in a terrarium

Bombina orientalis are relatively easy to care for in captivity, requiring little in the way of specialized lighting or heating and readily consuming feeder insects or small feeder fish. [10] Handling can require caution, as although harmless to the skin, the mucus can cause discomfort to the mouth and eyes, [8] however captive individuals generally are less toxic. [19] The toxin does not pose a significant threat to human health. [10] In captivity, Oriental fire-bellied toads often live for around 12 years, but in some cases can live up to 30. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amphibian</span> Class of ectothermic tetrapods

Amphibians are ectothermic, anamniotic, four-limbed vertebrate animals that constitute the class Amphibia. In its broadest sense, it is a paraphyletic group encompassing all tetrapods, excluding the amniotes. All extant (living) amphibians belong to the monophyletic subclass Lissamphibia, with three living orders: Anura (frogs), Urodela (salamanders), and Gymnophiona (caecilians). Evolved to be mostly semiaquatic, amphibians have adapted to inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living in freshwater, wetland or terrestrial ecosystems. Their life cycle typically starts out as aquatic larvae with gills known as tadpoles, but some species have developed behavioural adaptations to bypass this.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frog</span> Order of amphibians

A frog is any member of a diverse and largely carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order Anura. The oldest fossil "proto-frog" Triadobatrachus is known from the Early Triassic of Madagascar, but molecular clock dating suggests their split from other amphibians may extend further back to the Permian, 265 million years ago. Frogs are widely distributed, ranging from the tropics to subarctic regions, but the greatest concentration of species diversity is in tropical rainforest. Frogs account for around 88% of extant amphibian species. They are also one of the five most diverse vertebrate orders. Warty frog species tend to be called toads, but the distinction between frogs and toads is informal, not from taxonomy or evolutionary history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombinatoridae</span> Family of amphibians

Bombinatoridae is a family of toads found in Eurasia. Species of the family have flattened bodies and some are highly toxic.

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

The common toad, European toad, or in Anglophone parts of Europe, simply the toad, is a frog found throughout most of Europe, in the western part of North Asia, and in a small portion of Northwest Africa. It is one of a group of closely related animals that are descended from a common ancestral line of toads and which form a species complex. The toad is an inconspicuous animal as it usually lies hidden during the day. It becomes active at dusk and spends the night hunting for the invertebrates on which it feeds. It moves with a slow, ungainly walk or short jumps, and has greyish-brown skin covered with wart-like lumps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire-bellied toad</span> Genus of amphibians

The fire-bellied toads are a group of six species of small frogs belonging to the genus Bombina.

Bombesin is a 14-amino acid peptide originally isolated from the skin of the European fire-bellied toad by Vittorio Erspamer et al. and named after its source. It has two known homologs in mammals called neuromedin B and gastrin-releasing peptide. It stimulates gastrin release from G cells. It activates three different G-protein-coupled receptors known as BBR1, -2, and -3. It also activates these receptors in the brain. Together with cholecystokinin, it is the second major source of negative feedback signals that stop eating behaviour.

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

The European fire-bellied toad is a species of fire-bellied toad native to eastern parts of mainland Europe, where it can be found near waterbodies such as ponds and marshes. It is known for its red colored belly used to ward off predators, an example of aposematism, and its distinctive "whoop" call.

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

The yellow-bellied toad belongs to the order Anura, the archaeobatrachial family Bombinatoridae, and the genus of fire-bellied toads. The toad is distributed mainly across western Europe as well as a handful of countries in eastern Europe. While the population of the toad is steadily decreasing over time, its numbers are not critical enough to be considered threatened or extinct. Conservation efforts in Germany are taking place to remedy the declining population before it is too late.

<i>Gastrophryne carolinensis</i> Species of amphibian

Gastrophryne carolinensis, the eastern narrow-mouthed toad, is a species of microhylid frog. It is a relatively small, toad-like amphibian found in damp, shady habitats. The species is highly fossorial, and feeds primarily on ants. These North American microhylids are distinguished from true toads, and other anurans by their moist, smooth skin, their lack of eardrums or tympana, their distinguishable squat body shape, and the unique fold of skin superior to their eyes. It is found in the United States, from southern Maryland to the Florida Keys, west to Missouri and Texas. While not a true toad, it is so called because it is terrestrial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panamanian golden frog</span> Species of amphibian

The Panamanian golden frog, also known as Cerro Campana stubfoot toad and other names, is a species of toad endemic to Panama. Panamanian golden frogs inhabit the streams along the mountainous slopes of the Cordilleran cloud forests of west-central Panama. While the IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered, it may in fact have been extinct in the wild since 2007. Individuals have been collected for breeding in captivity in a bid to preserve the species. The alternative common name, Zetek's golden frog, and the epithet zeteki both commemorate the entomologist James Zetek.

<i>Bombina maxima</i> Species of amphibian

Bombina maxima, commonly known as the Yunnan firebelly toad or large-webbed bell toad, is a species of toad in the family Bombinatoridae found in Yunnan, China and likely to Myanmar. Its natural habitats include swamps, springs, marshes, arable land, canals, and ditches. Although easy to care for, handling a large-webbed toad should be kept to a minimum because their skin secretes a toxin that can cause irritation This toxin is rich in active proteins and antimicrobial peptides that are essential in maintaining its innate immunity and protecting it from predators that come in contact with its skin.

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

The Apennine yellow-bellied toad is a species of toad in the family Bombinatoridae endemic to Italy. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate grassland, swamps, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, arable land, pastureland, ponds, open excavations, irrigated land, and seasonally flooded agricultural land. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unkenreflex</span>

Unkenreflex – interchangeably referred to as unken reflex – is a defensive posture adopted by several branches of the amphibian class – including salamanders, toads, and certain species of frogs. Implemented most often in the face of an imminent attack by a predator, unkenreflex is characterized by the subject’s contortion or arching of its body to reveal previously hidden bright colors of the ventral side, tail, or inner limb; the subject remains immobile while in unkenreflex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poisonous amphibian</span> Amphibians that produce poison

Poisonous amphibians are amphibians that produce toxins to defend themselves from predators.

Rhabdias bufonis is a species of parasitic nematode in the family Rhabdiasidae. It was first described from the lungs of the European common toad (Bufo bufo) but has also been found in a number of other species of frog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pain in amphibians</span> Ethical issue

Pain is an aversive sensation and feeling associated with actual, or potential, tissue damage. It is widely accepted by a broad spectrum of scientists and philosophers that non-human animals can perceive pain, including pain in amphibians.

References

  1. 1 2 3 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. (2020). "Bombina orientalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T54449A63850146. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T54449A63850146.en . Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  2. ↑ "Bombina orientalis (Boulenger, 1890) | Amphibian Species of the World". amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  3. 1 2 3 The Annals and magazine of natural history; zoology, botany, and geology. Vol. 5. London, England: Taylor and Francis, Ltd. 1890. pp. 143–144.
  4. ↑ Stejneger, Leonhard Hess (1907). Herpetology of Japan and adjacent territory. Harvard University. Washington, Govt. print. off. p. 51.
  5. ↑ Kuzmin, S. L.; Poyarkov, N. A.; Maslova, I. V. (March 2010). "On the variability of fire-bellied toads in the Far East". Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 65 (1): 34–39. Bibcode:2010MUBSB..65...34K. doi:10.3103/S0096392510010074. S2CID   37423420.
  6. 1 2 Teng, Yang; Yang, Jing; Zhu, Guofen; Gao, Fuli; Han, Yingying; Bao, Weidong (17 May 2021). "Population Genetic Structure Analysis Reveals Decreased but Moderate Diversity for the Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad Introduced to Beijing after 90 Years of Independent Evolution". Animals. 11 (5): 1429. doi: 10.3390/ani11051429 . PMC   8156418 . PMID   34067517.
  7. ↑ Yu, Liqun; Zhao, Shuai; Shi, Yanshuang; Meng, Fanbing; Xu, Chunzhu (2021). "Evolutionary history of the oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis) in Northeast China". Ecology and Evolution. 11 (9): 4232–4242. Bibcode:2021EcoEv..11.4232Y. doi:10.1002/ece3.7318. PMC   8093726 . PMID   33976806.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Oriental fire-bellied toad". Smithsonian's National Zoo. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  9. 1 2 Szcodronski, Todd. "Bombina orientalis". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  10. 1 2 3 "Fire-Belly Toad | Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc" . Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad | National Geographic". Animals. 2010-03-12. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bombina orientalis". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  13. ↑ Kawamura, Toshijiro; Nishioka, Midori; Ueda, Hiroaki (1972). "Reproduction of the Oriental Fire-bellied Toad, Bombina orientalis, with Special Reference to the Superiority of this Species as a Laboratory Animal" (PDF). Scientific Report of the Laboratory for Amphibian Biology. 1: 303–317 – via CORE.
  14. ↑ "Oriental Fire-bellied Toad - Collections". nas.er.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  15. 1 2 "Oriental Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina orientalis) - Species Profile". nas.er.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  16. ↑ Maslova, Irina V.; Rodina, Elvira E.; Jang, Yikweon; Borzée, Amaël (30 June 2018). "Breeding populations of Bombina orientalis Boulenger, 1890 (Amphibia Anura Bombinatoridae) in degraded urban habitat in Vladivostok, Russia". Biodiversity Journal. doi: 10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2018.9.2.127.130 . S2CID   134291784.
  17. ↑ Michaels, C. J.; Antwis, R. E.; Preziosi, R. F. (April 2015). "Impacts of UVB provision and dietary calcium content on serum vitamin D 3 , growth rates, skeletal structure and coloration in captive oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis)". Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 99 (2): 391–403. doi:10.1111/jpn.12203. PMID   24810567.
  18. ↑ van Zijll Langhout, Martine; Struijk, Richard P.J.H.; Könning, Tessa; van Zuilen, Dick; Horvath, Katalin; van Bolhuis, Hester; Maarschalkerweerd, Roelof; Verstappen, Frank (September 2017). "EVALUATION OF BONE MINERALIZATION BY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN WILD AND CAPTIVE EUROPEAN COMMON SPADEFOOTS ( PELOBATES FUSCUS ), IN RELATION TO EXPOSURE TO ULTRAVIOLET B RADIATION AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS". Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 48 (3): 748–756. doi:10.1638/2016-0238.1. PMID   28920809. S2CID   24851902.
  19. 1 2 3 "Fire-bellied Toad". Seneca Park Zoo. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  20. ↑ Walkowiak, Wolfgang (January 1992). "Acoustic communication in the fire-bellied toad: an integrative neurobiological approach". Ethology Ecology & Evolution. 4 (1): 63–74. Bibcode:1992EtEcE...4...63W. doi:10.1080/08927014.1992.9525351.
  21. ↑ Zeyl, Jeffrey N.; Laberge, Frédéric (December 2011). "Multisensory signals trigger approach behaviour in the fire-bellied toad Bombina orientalis: sex differences and call specificity". Zoology. 114 (6): 369–377. doi:10.1016/j.zool.2011.08.001. PMID   21993061.
  22. ↑ Ohki-Hamazaki, Hiroko (2016). "Bombesin-Like Peptide Family". Handbook of Hormones. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801028-0.00022-2. ISBN   978-0-12-801028-0.
  23. ↑ Nagalla, Srinivasa R.; Barry, Brenda J.; Falick, Arnold M.; Gibson, Bradford W.; Taylor, John E.; Dong, Jesse Z.; Spindel, Eliot R. (March 1996). "There Are Three Distinct Forms of Bombesin". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 271 (13): 7731–7737. doi: 10.1074/jbc.271.13.7731 . PMID   8631814.
  24. ↑ Brattstrom, Bayard H. (1990). "Maze Learning in the Fire-Bellied Toad, Bombina orientalis". Journal of Herpetology. 24 (1): 44–47. doi:10.2307/1564288. JSTOR   1564288.
  25. ↑ Kang, Han Seung; Park, Chan Jin; Gye, Myung Chan (May 2010). "Effect of Carbaryl on Survival and Development in Bombina orientalis (Boulenger) Embryos". Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 84 (5): 550–553. Bibcode:2010BuECT..84..550K. doi:10.1007/s00128-010-9979-y. PMID   20401602. S2CID   26212563.
  26. ↑ Park, Chan Jin; Kang, Han Seung; Gye, Myung Chan (November 2010). "Effects of nonylphenol on early embryonic development, pigmentation and 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine-induced metamorphosis in Bombina orientalis (Amphibia: Anura)". Chemosphere. 81 (10): 1292–1300. Bibcode:2010Chmsp..81.1292P. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.08.039. PMID   20870264.
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