Duttaphrynus melanostictus

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Common Indian Toad

Conservation status
LC[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Duttaphrynus
Species: D. melanostictus
Binomial name
Duttaphrynus melanostictus
(Schneider, 1799)
Synonyms

Bufo melanostictus

The Common Indian Toad or Common Asiatic/Asian Toad or Black-spined Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus is a species of toad that is common in South Asia. The species grows to almost 20 cm long. The species breeds during the monsoons and the tadpoles are black. Young toads may be seen in large numbers after the monsoons.

[edit] Description

The wart patterns of the toads are unique and have been used for individual identification in studies.
The wart patterns of the toads are unique and have been used for individual identification in studies.

Head with more or less elevated bony ridges, namely a canthal, a pre-orbital, a supra-orbital, a post-orbital, and a short orbito-tympanic; snout short, blunt; inter-orbital space much broader than the upper eyelid: tympanum very distinct, at least two thirds the diameter of the eye. First finger extending generally, but not always, beyond second; toes at least half webbed, with single sub-articular tubercles; two moderate metatarsal tubercles; no tarsal fold. The tarso-metatarsal articulation reaches the tympanum or the eye. Upper surfaces with more or less prominent, often spiny, warts; parotoids very prominent, kidney-shaped or elliptical, more or less elongate. [2]

Yellowish or brownish above, the spines of the warts and the ridges of the head generally black; beneath immaculate or more or less spotted. Male with a subgular vocal sac, and black nuptial excrescences on the two inner fingers.

These toads are often seen at night under street lamps especially during times when winged termites swarm. They have been noted to feed on a wide range of invertebrates including scorpions.[3] Tadpoles grown in sibling groups metamorphosed faster than those that were kept in mixed groups.[4] Tadpoles have been shown to be able to recognize kin.[5]

A full-grown male Asiatic Toad housed with a captive matured female American Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana.
A full-grown male Asiatic Toad housed with a captive matured female American Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana.
An adult (more than 7 years old), female measuring over 4" from snout to vent.
An adult (more than 7 years old), female measuring over 4" from snout to vent.

[edit] References

  1. ^ van Dijk et al (2004). Bufo melanostictus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern
  2. ^ Boulenger, G. A. 1890. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.
  3. ^ Berry, P. Y. & J. A. Bullock (1962) The food of the common Malayan Toad, Bufo melanostictus Schneider. Copeia, 4:736-741.
  4. ^ Saidapur, S. K. & S. Girish (2001) Growth and metamorphosis of Bufo melanostictus tadpoles; Effects of Kinship and Density. J. Herpetology 5(2):249-254
  5. ^ Saidapur, S. K. & Girish (2000) The ontogeny of kin recognition in tadpoles of the toad Bufo melanostictus (Anura; Bufonidae) J. Biosci. 25:267-273
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