Sigalegalephrynus is a genus of toads in the family Bufonidae. Species are commonly known as puppet toads.[1]
They are endemic to the mountains of Sumatra in Indonesia. They have both arboreal and troglodytic habits, being known from trees and rock hollows in montane habitats, including stratovolcanoes such as Sorikmarapi and Mount Kunyit. The genus is named after the si gale-gale, life-sized wooden puppets created by the indigenous Toba Batak people, referencing their relatively large size, lanky build, long arms, and wood-brown coloration.[2]
The genus and its first two species were only described in 2017 (with the first individuals only discovered in 2014), with three more described in 2019. All species are microendemic to their localities and are threatened by habitat loss, and it has thus been recommended that all be classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.[3] [4]
The following species are known:
| Binomial name and author | Common name | |
|---|---|---|
| Sigalegalephrynus burnitelongensis | Burning Mountain puppet toad | |
| Sigalegalephrynus gayoluesensis | Gayo Lues Highland's puppet toad | |
| Sigalegalephrynus harveyi | Harvey's puppet toad | |
| Sigalegalephrynus mandailinguensis | Mandailing puppet toad | |
| Sigalegalephrynus minangkabauensis | Minangkabau puppet toad |