Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
Gastrophryne carolinensis
Summary 5
Gastrophryne carolinensis, the eastern narrow-mouthed toad, is a species of microhylid frog. It is a relatively small, toad-like amphibian found in damp, shady habitats. The species is highly fossorial, and feeds primarily on ants. These North American microhylids (Family: Microhylidae) are distinguished from true toads (genus Bufo), and other anurans by their moist, smooth skin, their lack of eardrums or tympana, their distinguishable squat body shape, and the unique head shape.
Physical Description 6
The Eastern Narrow-mouthed toad has a length of 7/8 to 1.5 in. It has smooth skin, a pointed snout, and a fold of skin across the back of the head. The backside can be gray, brown or reddish in color. The typical pattern is a broad stripe down the center with light stripes down the sides. The pattern is often broken up by mottling or spotting. The coloring changes with the environment. The venter is heavily speckled or mottled, and the males usually have dark throats. This toad species is known for its lack of parotoid glands, warts, and webbed toes.
Reproduction 6
In regard to breeding, breeding is typically triggered by warm rains from May to July. At this time, individuals gather in large groups in shallow puddles, ponds, streams, and swamps. This toad typically uses sites with grassy margins. Deeper water will be used if mats of dense floating vegetation are available.
The male mating call resembles the bleating of a lamb followed by a short peep. The call has a quality similar to an electric buzzer. Each call lasts 1/2 to 4 seconds. The male often calls while floating in clumps of plants. Call duration, frequency, and pulse rates are more distinctive in sympatric populations (together) than in allopatric populations. Eggs are typically laid with 850 eggs per packet. They are laid on the water surface. Metamorphosis takes place in 20 to 70 days. The newly transformed toad is typically 8.5-12 mm long. Adults become sexually mature in 1-2 years.
Habitat 6
This species is found in a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats but requires shelter and moisture. Breeding occurs in shallow water bodies or in deeper water bodies with abundant floating vegetation. It can be found in pine flatwoods, pine woods, bottomland hardwoods, and cypress swamps.
Fontes e Créditos
- (c) Patrick Coin, alguns direitos reservados (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/42264328@N00/2277631436
- (c) Dave Huth, alguns direitos reservados (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/davemedia/7347050946/
- (c) cotinis, alguns direitos reservados (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcoin/4705043883/
- (c) Patrick Coin, alguns direitos reservados (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/42264328@N00/286821164
- Adaptado por TaelorJones de uma obra de (c) Wikipedia, alguns direitos reservados (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrophryne_carolinensis
- (c) TaelorJones, alguns direitos reservados (CC BY-SA)
