Pumpkin toadlet

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Pumpkin toadlet
Brachycephalus ephippium02.jpg
Brachycephalus ephippium.jpg
Close-up (above), size compared to a human thumb (below)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Brachycephalidae
Genus: Brachycephalus
Species:
B. ephippium
Binomial name
Brachycephalus ephippium
(Spix, 1824)

The pumpkin toadlet (Brachycephalus ephippium), or Spix's saddleback toad, is a small and brightly coloured species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. This diurnal species is endemic to southeastern Brazil where it is found among leaf litter on the floor of Atlantic rainforests at an altitude of 200–1,250 m (660–4,100 ft). [2] It is found in Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern São Paulo and southeastern Minas Gerais. Although its type specimen supposedly was collected in Bahia about 200 years ago, there are no confirmed localities in this state and recent reviews consider it more likely that it was from Rio de Janeiro. [2] [3] B. ephippium is locally common, [3] quite widespread compared to most other species of Brachycephalus and it is not considered threatened. [1] [2]

Contents

B. ephippium feeds on tiny invertebrates and breeding is by direct development, with the female laying a few eggs on land that hatch into young toadlets (no tadpole stage). [4]

Appearance and toxicity

An adult and two young under normal light (left) and UV light (right), showing that fluorescence varies with age Development of fluorescence in Brachycephalus ephippium.jpg
An adult and two young under normal light (left) and UV light (right), showing that fluorescence varies with age
Fluorescent patterns on the back of a pumpkin toadlet

B. ephippium is a very small frog with a snout–to–vent length of 12.5–19.7 mm (0.49–0.78 in) in adults, [5] but it is among the largest in its genus together with species like B. darkside , B. garbeanus and B. margaritatus . [6] [7] Females tend to be larger than males. [3] When newly hatched B. ephippium typically measure just 5.25–5.45 mm (0.207–0.215 in). [4]

B. ephippium is overall bright yellow-orange and this is considered aposematic (warning colours) since its skin and organs contain tetrodotoxin and similar toxins. [8] Newly hatched B. ephippium are well-camouflaged and brown overall. [4] 11-oxoTTX (11-oxotetrodotoxin), an isolated analogue is extremely rare to be found in other animals, even marine animals, this analogue is considered four to five times more potent than the tetrodotoxin itself. [9] Other analogues isolated of this toad include the tetrodonic acid, 4-epipetrodotoxin, 4.9 anhydrotetrodotoxin and 11-nortetrodotoxin. [10] The toxins can be found in their skin and ovaries, but mostly concentrated in the liver.

In 2019, scientists discovered that the head and back of this toadlet and the closely related red pumpkin toadlet (B. pitanga) glowed under ultraviolet light, due to their fluorescent skeletons. [11] [12] Young that have gained the bright yellow-orange adult colours still lack their fluorescence. It was initially speculated that the fluorescent colour also is aposematic or that it is related to mate choice (species recognition or determining fitness of a potential partner), [12] but later studies indicate that the former explanation is unlikely, as predation attempts on the toadlets appear to be unaffected by the presence/absence of fluorescence. [13]

Call and hearing

Peculiarly, this species and the closely related red pumpkin toadlet are unable to hear the frequency of their own advertising calls, as their ears are underdeveloped. Instead their communication appears to rely on certain movements like the vocal sac that inflates when calling, mouth gaping and waving of their arms. [14] [15] It is speculated that their calling is a vestigiality from the ancestral form of the genus, whereas their reduced hearing ability (they do have some hearing ability in frequencies outside their call) is a novel change in these species. Sounds make them more vulnerable to predators, but there has likely been little direct evolutionary pressure to lose it because of their toxicity. [14] [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

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

The saddleback toads (Brachycephalus) are a genus of tiny toads and frogs in the family Brachycephalidae in the order Anura, ranging from south Bahia to Santa Catarina in southeastern Brazil. The genus includes two main groups, the often brightly coloured pumpkin toadlets, and the overall brown and more frog-like flea frogs, which once were placed in their own genus Psyllophryne. Some pumpkin toadlets are toxic and their often bright colours are considered aposematic. At about 1 cm (0.4 in) or less in snout–to–vent length, the flea frogs are some of the smallest frogs in the world.

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

The Brachycephalidae are a family of frogs confined to eastern and southern Brazil and northern Argentina. The family is composed of two externally quite different genera: the tiny, often colourful and plump saddleback toads (Brachycephalus) from Brazil, and the larger, slimmer and more drab genus Ischnocnema from both Brazil and Argentina. The family is mainly defined by molecular characteristics, and are linked by few anatomical features. It was erected from two genera of the previously large family Eleutherodactylidae, which is now split into four families.

<i>Adelophryne</i> Genus of amphibians

Adelophryne is a genus of frogs in the family Eleutherodactylidae. They are native to northern South America east of the Andes, known roughly from the area corresponding to the Guiana Shield, as well as to the coastal area of Bahia, Brazil. Whether the genus is truly distinct from Phyzelaphryne remains uncertain. Common name shield frogs has been proposed for this genus, although the stem flea frog is used for some species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polka-dot tree frog</span> Species of amphibian

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<i>Brachycephalus nodoterga</i> Species of frog

Brachycephalus nodoterga, also known as the Serra Cantareira saddleback toad, is a species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. It is endemic to the eastern São Paulo state of southeastern Brazil, and only known from five locations in Atlantic rainforest at altitudes of 700–900 m (2,300–3,000 ft).

Brachycephalus pernix is a small and brightly coloured species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. It is endemic to Paraná in southeastern Brazil and only known from a single location at an altitude of 1,135–1,405 m (3,724–4,610 ft) on Serra da Baitaca in Serra da Baitaca State Park. This diurnal species lives among leaf litter on the floor of Atlantic rainforest.

Brachycephalus ferruginus is a species of frogs in the family Brachycephalidae. It is endemic to southern Brazil and only known from its type locality, Pico Marumbi, in the Serra do Mar in Morretes, Paraná state. Its altitudinal range is 965–1,470 m (3,166–4,823 ft) above sea level.

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

The Brazilian gold frog, also known as Izecksohn's toad or flea-frog, is a very small species of frogs in the family Brachycephalidae. It is endemic to southeastern Brazil and is known from the central part of the state of Rio de Janeiro and from Serra das Torres in extreme southern Espírito Santo.

Eugênio Izecksohn was a Brazilian herpetologist. Izecksohn graduated from Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro in 1953. Among others, he discovered and scientifically described the flea frog Brachycephalus didactylus, one of the smallest frogs in the world. Several taxa have been named in honour of him, mostly frogs like the tiny B. izecksohni, and the extremely rare—if not already extinct—Bokermannohyla izecksohni, but also a few from other groups like the fish Xenurolebias izecksohni and the bat Myotis izecksohni.

<i>Brachycephalus mariaeterezae</i> Species of frog

Brachycephalus mariaeterezae is a species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. It is very tiny and was one of seven new species described by LF Ribeiro and a team of scientists from the Mater Natura - Instituto de Estudos Ambientais in Brazil. Like all species in its genus, it is found in a very small strip of Atlantic Forest in the southeastern coast of the country, and has a vibrant colour pattern. The speciation seen in this genus is thought to be a byproduct of the rift between the valley versus mountain terrain and its particular microclimates, to which they are adapted. It might be in population decline due to habitat loss. Its name honours Maria Tereza Jorge Pádua, a Brazilian environmentalist.

<i>Brachycephalus olivaceus</i> Species of frog

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<i>Brachycephalus auroguttatus</i> Species of frog

Brachycephalus auroguttatus is a species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. It is very tiny and was one of seven new species described by LF Ribeiro and a team of scientists from the Mater Natura - Instituto de Estudos Ambientais in Brazil. Like all species in its genus, it is found in a very small strip of Atlantic Forest in the southeastern coast of the country, and has a vibrant colour pattern. The speciation seen in this genus is thought to be a byproduct of the rift between the valley versus mountain terrain and its particular microclimates, to which they are adapted. It might be in population decline due to habitat loss. Its name comes from the Latin aurum for "gold" and gutta "drop" or "speck", in reference to golden spots found throughout the skin of this species.

<i>Brachycephalus verrucosus</i> Species of amphibian

Brachycephalus verrucosus is a species of frogs in the family Brachycephalidae. It is very tiny and was one of seven new species described by LF Ribeiro and a team of scientists from the Mater Natura - Instituto de Estudos Ambientais in Brazil. Like all species in its genus, it is found in a very small strip of Atlantic Forest in the southeastern coast of the country, and has a vibrant colour pattern. The speciation seen in this genus is thought to be a byproduct of the rift between the valley versus mountain terrain and its particular microclimates, to which they are adapted. It might be in population decline due to habitat loss. Its name is derived from the Latin verrucosus, "warty" or "rugged", alluding to the frogs highly rugose dorsum.

<i>Brachycephalus fuscolineatus</i> Species of frog

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<i>Brachycephalus leopardus</i> Species of frog

Brachycephalus leopardus is a species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. It is very tiny and was one of seven new species described by Luiz F. Ribeiro and a team of scientists from the Mater Natura — Instituto de Estudos Ambientais in Brazil. Like all species in its genus, it is found in a very small strip of Atlantic Forest in the southeastern coast of the country, and has a vibrant colour pattern. The speciation seen in this genus is thought to be a byproduct of the rift between the valley versus mountain terrain and its particular microclimates, to which they are adapted. It might be in population decline due to habitat loss. Its name derived from the Latin leopardus, referring to the frog's spotted pattern evocative of the felid genus Leopardus.

<i>Brachycephalus boticario</i> Species of frog

Brachycephalus boticario is a species of frog in the family Brachycephalidae. It is very tiny and was one of seven new species described by LF Ribeiro and a team of scientists from the Mater Natura - Instituto de Estudos Ambientais in Brazil. Like all species in its genus, it is found in a very small strip of Atlantic Forest in the southeastern coast of the country, and has a vibrant colour pattern. The speciation seen in this genus is thought to be a byproduct of the rift between the valley versus mountain terrain and its particular microclimates, to which they are adapted. It might be in population decline due to habitat loss. The species name pays homage to the Fundação Grupo Boticário de Proteção à Natureza, which partially funded the fieldwork of the study originally describing the frog.

<i>Brachycephalus pitanga</i> Species of amphibian

Brachycephalus pitanga, the red pumpkin toadlet, is a small and brightly coloured species of anuran in the family Brachycephalidae. It is endemic to Atlantic rainforests in São Paulo state of southeastern Brazil, and only known from four localities at an altitude of 900–1,140 m (2,950–3,740 ft) in Ubatuba and São Luiz do Paraitinga. It can be very common where found, and two of the known localities are protected by the Serra do Mar State Park. Unlike many other pumpkin toadlets, the red pumpkin toadlet is not considered threatened.

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<i>Brachycephalus pulex</i> Species of tiny frogs

Brachycephalus pulex, also known as the Brazilian flea toad and the Serra Bonita flea toad, is a species of small frogs in the family Brachycephalidae. It is one of more than 35 named species within the genus Brachycephalus. It has been suggested to represent the smallest known vertebrate, with an average snout–vent length of 7.10 millimetres (0.280 in) in mature males.

References

  1. 1 2 Monique Van Sluys, Carlos Frederico da Rocha (2010). "Brachycephalus ephippium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T54453A11149233. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T54453A11149233.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Bornschein, M.R.; M.R. Pie; L. Teixeira (2019). "Conservation Status of Brachycephalus Toadlets (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest". Diversity. 11 (9): 150. doi: 10.3390/d11090150 .
  3. 1 2 3 Pombal, J.P. Jr; E.M. Wistuba; M.R. Bornschein (1998). "A New Species of Brachycephalid (Anura) from the Atlantic Rain Forest of Brazil". Journal of Herpetology. 32 (1): 70–74. doi:10.2307/1565481. JSTOR   1565481.
  4. 1 2 3 Pombal, J.P. Jr.; I. Sazima; C.F.B. Haddad (1994). "Breeding Behavior of the Pumpkin Toadlet, Brachycephalus ephippium (Brachycephalidae)". Journal of Herpetology. 28 (4): 516–519. doi:10.2307/1564972. JSTOR   1564972.
  5. ↑ "Brachycephalus ephippium". Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  6. ↑ Guimarães, Carla Silva; Luz, Sofia; Rocha, Pedro Carvalho; Feio, Renato Neves (2017). "The dark side of pumpkin toadlet: a new species of Brachycephalus (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from Serra do Brigadeiro, southeastern Brazil". Zootaxa. 4258 (4): 327–344. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4258.4.2. PMID   28609910.
  7. ↑ Condez, T.H.; Monteiro, J.P.D.; Comitti, E.J.; Garcia, P.C.A.; Amaral, I.B.; Haddad, C.F.B. (2016). "A new species of flea-toad (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from southern Atlantic Forest, Brazil". Zootaxa. 4083 (1): 40–56. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4083.1.2. PMID   27394218.
  8. ↑ Pires Jr., O.R.; A. Sebben; E.F. Schwartz; S.W. Largura; C. Bloch Jr.; R.A. Morales; C.A. Schwartz (2002). "Occurrence of tetrodotoxin and its analogues in the Brazilian frog Brachycephalus ephippium (Anura: Brachycephalidae)". Toxicon. 40 (6): 761–766. doi:10.1016/s0041-0101(01)00279-3. PMID   12175613.
  9. ↑ Pires, Osmindo R.; Sebben, Antonio; Schwartz, Elisabeth Ferroni; Bloch, Carlos; Morales, Rodrigo A. V.; Schwartz, Carlos A. (October 2003). "The occurrence of 11-oxotetrodotoxin, a rare tetrodotoxin analogue, in the brachycephalidae frog Brachycephalus ephippium". Toxicon. 42 (5): 563–566. doi:10.1016/s0041-0101(03)00235-6. ISSN   0041-0101. PMID   14529740.
  10. ↑ Pires, Osmindo R.; Sebben, Antonio; Schwartz, Elisabeth F.; Largura, Simone W.R.; Bloch, Carlos; Morales, Rodrigo A.V.; Schwartz, Carlos A. (2002). "Occurrence of tetrodotoxin and its analogues in the Brazilian frog Brachycephalus ephippium (Anura: Brachycephalidae)". Toxicon. 40 (6): 761–766. doi:10.1016/S0041-0101(01)00279-3. PMID   12175613 – via ResearchGate.
  11. ↑ Fox, Alex (2 April 2019). "Scientists discover a frog with glowing bones". Science. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  12. 1 2 Sandra Goutte; Matthew J. Mason; Marta M. Antoniazzi; Carlos Jared; Didier Merle; Lilian Cazes; Luís Felipe Toledo; Hanane el-Hafci; Stéphane Pallu; Hugues Portier; Stefan Schramm; Pierre Gueriau; Mathieu Thoury (2019). "Intense bone fluorescence reveals hidden patterns in pumpkin toadlets". Scientific Reports. 9 (1): 5388. Bibcode:2019NatSR...9.5388G. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-41959-8 . PMC   6441030 . PMID   30926879.
  13. ↑ Rebouças, R.; A.B. Carollo; M.d.O. Freitas; C. Lambertini; R.M. Nogueira dos Santos; L.F. Toledo (2019). "Conservation Status of Brachycephalus Toadlets (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest". Diversity. 55 (1): 39–47. doi: 10.3390/d11090150 .
  14. 1 2 Goutte, S.; et al. (2017). "Evidence of auditory insensitivity to vocalization frequencies in two frogs". Scientific Reports. 7 (1): 12121. Bibcode:2017NatSR...712121G. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12145-5 . PMC   5608807 . PMID   28935936.
  15. 1 2 Supriya, L. (26 September 2017). "These tiny frogs can't hear their own mating songs". ScienceMag. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
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