Catequero Bullfrog

general

This form consists of several cryptic species with at least two species from the Horn of Africa (Zimkus and Larson, unpublished).

African Amphibians

general

This species is named for the Greek 'kryptos' meaning hidden and 'otos' meaning ear, referring to the hidden tympanum.

African Amphibians

morphology

Tongue is rather feebly notched behind. Vomerine teeth are present in two oblique groups between the choanae. Habit is very stout. The head is short, and the snout rounded. The interorbital space is narrower than the upper eyelid. The tympanum is completely hidden under the skin. The fingers are short and pointed. The first and second are equal. The toes are short, one-third webbed. The subarticular tubercles of the toes are very prominent and conical. The inner metatarsal tubercle is very large. prominent, shovel-shaped, sharp-edged, and at least as long as the inner toe. A small, round, outer metatarsal tubercle is present. A round tarsal tubercle is present just below the tibio-tarsal articulation. The tarso-metararsal articulation reaches the eye. Skin is smooth (Boulenger, 1907). Dorsum is pale greyish or brownish with dark-edged grey or brown spots disposed with greater or less symmetry. An interrupted, dark cross-bar is preent between the eyes. The back sometimes has white or pink dots. A light vertebral streak is often present. The hind limbs have dark transverse spots, not forming complete cross-bars. The venter is white (Boulenger, 1907).

African Amphibians

conservation

The IUCN Red List (2009) categorizes this species as Least Concern in view of its very wide distribution, its tolerance of arid conditions, its presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

African Amphibians