Mertensophryne mocquardi

Mertensophryne mocquardi (common names: Mocquards [sic] toad,[1][2] Mocquard's toad[4]) 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.[1][2] The specific name mocquardi refers to François Mocquard, a French herpetologist.[4] It was put in synonymy of Mertensophryne lonnbergi in 1972, but re-validated in 1997.[2][5]

Mertensophryne mocquardi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Mertensophryne
Species:
M. mocquardi
Binomial name
Mertensophryne mocquardi
(Angel, 1924)
Synonyms[2]

Bufo mocquardi Angel, 1924[3]

Description

Mertensophryne mocquardi is a relatively small-sized toad.[5] The tympanum is hidden. The canthus rostralis is angular. No bone ridges are present in the head. The parotoid glands are distinct but not always prominent;[3] they are broad and well separated from the eyelids.[5] The hind limbs are relatively short and have well-developed subarticular tubercles. The toes are about one-third webbed. Skin is granulate or tuberculate above and granulate below. The dorsal colouration varies from yellow to black. A light vertebral stripe is often present.[3]

Habitat and conservation

Owing to confusing with Mertensophryne lonnbergi and Mertensophryne nairobiensis, the ecology of this species is poorly known. It is assumed to be a montane forest species.[1] The type series was collected at elevations of 2,400–2,600 m (7,900–8,500 ft) above sea level.[5] Threats to it are not known. It might be present in the Mount Kenya and Aberdares National Parks.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2014). "Mertensophryne mocquardi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T54712A18371014. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T54712A18371014.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Mertensophryne mocquardi (Angel, 1924)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  3. Angel, F. (1924). "Note préliminaire sur deaux batraciens nouveaux, des genres Rappia et Bufo, provenant d'Afrique orientale anglaise (Mission Alluaud et Jeannel, 1911–1912)". Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. 30: 269–270.
  4. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
  5. Poynton, J. C. (1997). "On Bufo nyikae Loveridge and the B. lonnbergi complex of East African highlands (Anura: Bufonidae)". African Journal of Herpetology. 46 (2): 98–102. doi:10.1080/21564574.1997.9649983.
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