Melanophryniscus
Melanophryniscus devincenzii
The Schwarzkrötchen ( Melanophryniscus ) are a genus of frogs and toads of the family of toads ( Bufonidae ), which occurs in the central and south-eastern South America. Have been about 25 species have been described. The animals have potent skin toxins and warn predators before with some bright colors. In English, they are also called "South American Redbelly Toads " (South American Red-bellied toads). In previous systematic reviews which up to then known taxa nor the Stummelfußfröschen ( Atelopus ) were attributed.
Features
It is very small anurans of usually only two to three centimeters snout-vent length; individual species reach four inches. The females are larger and plumper than the males. The animals are built stocky toad, typically with short hind legs, a short snout and strongly granulated ( " warty " ), gland- rich skin. Some species exhibit conspicuous bulges on the front head. Oberseits often outweighs an inconspicuous cryptic to from brown or black tones while they are on the bottom, including the limbs spots or entire areas with bright warning colors ( reds, oranges, yellows ). When threatened, these posts to be shown by the black toads reflexively assume just like the native to Europe and Asia prophecies of a so-called Kahn position. In this case, an extreme lordosis is formed and the lower surfaces of the limbs are turned upward. This characteristic passive defensive behavior is known internationally as " toads reflex". The skin of the animals contains highly toxic alkaloids substances to protect against parasites and predators.
Dissemination and lifestyle
The genus Melanophryniscus is in the northern half of Argentina, Andean valleys in southern Bolivia, southern Brazil ( especially in the state of Rio Grande do Sul ), Paraguay and Uruguay in common.
Schwarzkrötchen daytime and only in rainy active, otherwise they seem to hide in crevices and under roots. To their food range includes small invertebrates such as ants. The courtship and spawning phase in spring in the southern hemisphere (around October / November) is spontaneously triggered by heavy rain events. As so-called " explosive spawners " she then deposited in a short time their spawning in temporary ponds, puddles and streams, from the very rapidly developing tadpoles. The mating calls produced with a constant throat vocal sac of the males sound warbling or chirping. Also, females should be able to vocalizations.
Taxonomy
Within the genus several systematic groups of species with certain characteristic attributes (appearance, calls ) can be distinguished, the predominantly black-colored species of Melanophryniscus stelzneri or atroluteus group, the more brownish Melanophryniscus tumifrons group and the ( monotypic? ) Melanophryniscus moreirae group.
Types of Schwarzkrötchen:
- Melanophryniscus admirabilis Di - Bernardo, Maneyro & Grillo, 2006
- Melanophryniscus alipioi Langone, Segalla, Bornschein & de Sá, 2008
- Melanophryniscus atroluteus ( Miranda - Ribeiro, 1920)
- Melanophryniscus cambaraensis Brown & Brown, 1979
- Melanophryniscus cupreuscapularis Céspedez & Alvarez, 2000
- Melanophryniscus devincenzii flaps Bach, 1968
- Melanophryniscus dorsalis ( Mertens, 1933)
- Melanophryniscus estebani Céspedez, 2008
- Melanophryniscus fulvoguttatus ( Mertens, 1937)
- Melanophryniscus klappenbachi Prisoners & Langone, 2000
- Melanophryniscus krauczuki Baldo & Basso, 2004
- Melanophryniscus langonei Maneyro, Naya & Baldo, 2008
- Melanophryniscus macrogranulosus Brown, 1973
- Melanophryniscus montevidensis ( Philippi, 1902)
- Melanophryniscus moreirae ( Miranda - Ribeiro, 1920)
- Melanophryniscus orejasmirandai Prisoners & Langone, 1987
- Melanophryniscus pachyrhynus ( Miranda - Ribeiro, 1920)
- Melanophryniscus paraguayensis Céspedez & Motte, 2007
- Melanophryniscus rubriventris ( Vellard, 1947)
- Melanophryniscus sanmartini flaps Bach, 1968
- Melanophryniscus simplex Caramaschi & Cruz, 2002
- Melanophryniscus spectabilis Caramaschi & Cruz, 2002
- Melanophryniscus stelzneri ( Weyenbergh, 1875)
- Melanophryniscus tumifrons ( Boulenger, 1905)
- Melanophryniscus vilavelhensis Steinbach- Padilha, 2008