Pelobates cultripes

Knife base ( Pelobates cultripes )

The knife base ( Pelobates cultripes ) is representing the European spadefoot ( Pelobates ) a close relative of garlic toad. While this is a common, especially in Central and Eastern Europe type, the blade foot assumes its " location " in south-west Europe.

Features

The males are rarely larger than three inches ( snout-vent length); the females are a little stronger. The relatively large, kurzschnauzige head is in contrast to the common spadefoot behind the eyes bulged like a helmet. Ear glands ( parotid glands ), as in the genuine toads are not pronounced. The highly prominent eyes have like all toads frogs on a vertical slit pupil; the iris is colored green - silver. In the very short hind limbs, especially of a sharp-edged " digging shovel " been converted into inner hock on the sole that stands out, is black in this type ( in the spadefoot: light brown). The relatively smooth, warty maximum at the edges colored skin on the upper side variable: On a whitish, yellowish-brown or gray tone are irregular patches, which can be green, gray or dark brown. Belly and throat are like the spadefoot toad white, often with " blurred " gray polka dots. Also, as with their relatives mittel-/osteuropäischen have the males especially during the mating season over thickened humeral glands.

Habitat, lifestyle, dissemination

The blade foot open landscapes populated with light ( sandy ) soils, in which he can dig his grave calluses very nimble reverse. These include coastal dunes, as well as agricultural landscapes. Level to gently undulating areas are relief- rich, mountainous regions preferred ( only exceptional occurrence to 1400 m above sea level in Spain). During the day the animals hide in self-dug holes in 6 to 20 cm soil depth; at night - especially during rainy weather - they go hunting for insects and their larvae. Their predators include snakes, herons and owls; tadpoles provide after newts and water or diving beetles. In the north of the circulation area of the blade foot probably made ​​a brief hibernation; in the south, however, a drought- induced aestivation.

The range of the species focuses on the Iberian Peninsula with Spain and Portugal; In addition, it occurs in the French Mediterranean region. In France there is also a disjoint partial area on the western Atlantic coast, roughly between St. Nazaire and Bordeaux. A listed in the literature resources in the surrounding of the Spanish exclave Melilla Morocco is doubtful and may be assigned to the Moroccan knife base.

Reproduction

The breeding season runs depending on the region very different: In Andalusia or Southern Portugal from October to February, in north-west Spain as of February until the end of April. Mostly after heavy rains the night walk of the blade feet begins to spawning grounds. As such, water-bearing ponds, weedy ponds and sometimes slow-flowing streams are sought temporary; slightly saline brackish water is not avoided. The first incident, numerically predominant male linger probably just a night on the water, turn over the spawning season, but several times back there. As mating calls they generate - again similar to the spadefoot - quiet, monotonous Rufserien under water ( "ko .. ko ko .. " ) that sound like the clucking of a hen. The females slightly longer residing at the spawning site and only once can spawn in the year, responding to the calls with similar vocalizations.

During mating, the male clasping his strong front legs the female does not axillary, but in the lumbar region ( inguinal amplexus ), as for the " Low " and "Medium " Anura ( suborders Archaeobatrachia and Mesobatrachia; compare toads, obstetricians toads, Disc-, mud divers, frogs ) is typical. The female finally issues a short, 12 to 20 millimeters thick spawning cord, in which the gray-brown eggs are arranged irregularly and several rows in jelly coat. The larvae require four to six months until the metamorphosis into land animals; before they reach considerable dimensions with lengths up to twelve centimeters. The newly metamorphosed juveniles are after absorption of the rudder tail two to three inches tall.

Threats and conservation

The habitats of the blade feet are affected by tourism ( Dünenlandschaften! ), afforestation and agricultural intensification. In the course of global climate change must also be reckoned with enhanced heat and drought in southwest Europe, which may be threatened, among other things, the spawning grounds.

Legal protection status

• Fauna-Flora -Habitat Directive ( FFH Directive ) Annex IV ( strictly protected species )
• Federal Nature Conservation Act ( Federal Nature Conservation Act ): strictly protected