Asian mountain toad

Ophryophryne microstoma

SUBFAMILY

Megophyrinae

TAXONOMY

Ophryophryne microstoma Boulenger, 1903, Tonkin, Vietnam.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

English: Narrow-mouthed horned toad.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Males grow up to 1.43 in (36.2 mm) in length and females up to 1.79 in (45.4 mm). This bizarre toothless frog has a narrow mouth and an extremely truncated snout. Small, pointy tubercles are present above the eye and leaflike venations are on the back. The color of the back ranges from light to dark brown, with some irregular mottling on the head and back. The pupil is diamond-shaped, and the iris is golden brown.

DISTRIBUTION

The Asian mountain toad lives in Vietnam and southwestern China.

HABITAT

The species prefers montane forests and streams at elevations above 1,300 ft (400 m).

BEHAVIOR

This nocturnal frog is terrestrial to semi-arboreal. It relies on its camouflage to avoid predation.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

The species feeds on small insects.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Males typically call from an elevated position above a stream, either in the vegetation or on rocks. The call includes a series of five to 10 quick whistles. Males do not form choruses, but they often are compelled to respond with calls to nearby calling males.

CONSERVATION STATUS

This species is not threatened, but its habitat is disappearing quickly. The habitats in Vietnam (populations in the north and in the central highlands) are becoming urbanized or altered for agricultural purposes.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

None known.