Mertensophryne Explained

Mertensophryne is a genus of true toads (family Bufonidae). They are found in eastern and southern Democratic Republic of Congo to Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, southeastern Zimbabwe, and adjacent Mozambique. Their common names include snouted frogs, Chirinda forest toads, and forest toads. The genus is named for Robert Mertens, German zoologist and herpetologist.

Taxonomy

Mertensophryne, as currently understood, consist of the former "Bufo" taitanus group and the genera Mertensophryne (as formerly defined) and Stephopaedes. The latter is monophyletic and still recognized as a subgenus. The closest relatives of Mertensophryne remain uncertain but probably include Poyntonophrynus, Vandijkophrynus, and Capensibufo.

Description

Mertensophryne lack tympanum and columella. They frequently show digit reduction. They are relatively small frogs; among the ten species studied by Liedtke and colleagues, the maximum female snout–vent length varied between 24and. Eggs are relatively large, 1.8- in diameter, and few in number (maximum 35–188).

Species

There are 14 recognized species:

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Binomial Name and AuthorCommon Name
Mertensophryne anotis Mashonaland toad
Mertensophryne howelli Mrora forest toad
Mertensophryne lindneri Dar es Salaam toad
Mertensophryne lonnbergi Lonberg's toad
Mertensophryne loveridgei Mahenge toad
Mertensophryne melanopleura Kankunde toad
Mertensophryne micranotis Loveridges snouted toad
Mertensophryne mocquardi Mocquards toad
Mertensophryne nairobiensis Nairobi toad
Mertensophryne nyikae Nyika dwarf toad
Mertensophryne schmidti Schmidt's snouted frog
Mertensophryne taitana Black-chested dwarf toad
Mertensophryne usambarae Usambara forest toad
Mertensophryne uzunguensis Uzungwe toad