Ghatophryne ornata

Ghatophryne ornata, known with common names ornate toad, Malabar torrent toad or black torrent toad, is a rare and endangered species of toad endemic to the Western Ghats.[1][2] In 2009, this species along with A. rubigina was shifted from Ansonia to the genus Ghatophryne.[3]

Ghatophryne ornata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Ghatophryne
Species:
G. ornata
Binomial name
Ghatophryne ornata
(Günther, 1876)
Synonyms

Ansonia ornata Günther, 1876
Bufo pulcher Boulenger, 1882

Description

Habit slender. Crown without bony ridges; snout short, obliquely truncated, with angular canthus rostralis and vertical loreal region ; interorbital space a little broader than the upper eyelid; tympanum distinct, about half the size of the eye. ringers rather slender, first much shorter than second; toes short, nearly entirely webbed; subarticular tubercles single, not very prominent ; tips of fingers and toes slightly swollen; metatarsal tubercles two, not very prominent; no tarsal fold. The hind limb being carried forwards along the body, the tibio-tarsal articulation reaches to between the eye and the tip of the snout. Anterior half of the back finely tubercular, the remainder smooth; no parotoids. Black; upperside of head and a dorsal line generally grey; beneath with large bright yellow spots. Male with a subgular vocal sac.[4] From snout to vent 1.2 inches. Brahmagiri Hills, Coorg. The toad lives in crevices among small rocks to large boulders in streams. Observed to be both active during day and night.

Malabar Torrent Toad

The skin of these toads is slightly rough and usually dry. The underbelly is usually held above the ground. Overall coloration on dorsum varies from dark brick red to black. Underside has bright red color with yellow circular spots. Base of mandible has two yellow spots. The bright coloration on the underside could be for unken reflex.

Front view and posture

It is known from the Western Ghats and the adjoining Nilgiris regions.

References
  1. S.D. Biju; Sushil Dutta; M.S. Ravichandran (2004). "Ghatophryne ornata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T54478A11138528. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T54478A11138528.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Ghatophryne ornata (Günther, 1876)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  3. Biju, S D; Ines Van Bocxlaer; Varad B Giri; Simon P Loader & Franky Bossuyt (2009). "Two new endemic genera and a new species of toad (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Western Ghats of India". BMC Research Notes. 2: 241. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-2-241. PMC 2797014. PMID 19968866.
  4. Boulenger, G. A. (1890) Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.

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