ANIMALS - AMPHIBIANS - FROGS - DARWIN'S TOAD (MELANOPHRYNISCUS MONTEVIDENSIS)

Animals - Amphibians - Frogs

Darwin's Toad (Melanophryniscus montevidensis)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Amphibia
Order : Anura
Family : Bufonidae
Genus : Melanophryniscus
Species : M. Montevidensis

Description:

The Darwin's Toad (Melanophryniscus montevidensis) is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in Brazil and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are temperate shrubland, intermittent freshwater marshes, and sandy shores. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Female: 22-28 mm, Male: 19-24 mm. Dorsum black, generally with small yellow blotches along the flanks. Belly and chest black with red blotches and/or yellow spots. Interdigital web poorly developed. Sexual dimorphism is not evident. This species could be easily confused with Melanophryniscus atroluteus.

The species inhabits coastal areas with dunes and sandy soils in the Uruguayan Atlantic shore region. Mainly southern Uruguay (only one locality known in Southern Brazil).

The diet of this toad consists of small arthropods (little beetles, collembolans, aphids, ants, acari). These diurnal toads are explosive breeders. Reproduction occurs during warm days following rains. As in most of the species belonging to this genus, the nuptial call has two components (a repeated whistle and a train of vibrations). During amplexus males massage females; oviposition is made in several inmersions. This species exhibits a defensive behavior named "Unkenreflex" (it shows the red belly, palms and soils to the attacker). The skin of these toads have alkaloids (like pumiliotoxins).

Binomial Name:

Name : Melanophryniscus montevidensis
Taxonomist : Rudolph Amandus Philippi (Germany)
Year : 1902
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : Melanophryniscus stelzneri, Montevidensis gallardo

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Vulnerable

A Vulnerable species is one which has been categorised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve.

Vulnerability is mainly caused by habitat loss or destruction. Vulnerable habitat or species are monitored and can become increasingly threatened. Some species listed as "vulnerable" may be common in captivity.

Philatelic Issues

2015 - Uruguay - Stamp 10 of 10, from Wetland Animals Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: June 5th, 2015
Printed: 10.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 10 Stamps
Value: UYP 15

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated