Melanophryniscus macrogranulosus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melanophryniscus macrogranulosus |
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The Melanophryniscus macrogranulosus is a small type of toad known as the Torres redbelly toad. It gets its common name from Torres, a place in southern Brazil. This special toad lives only in northeastern Rio Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil. For a long time, scientists only knew about it from a few toads found in 1960. But in 2004, they found more of these toads. Since then, other groups have been discovered!
What Does the Torres Redbelly Toad Look Like?
The Torres redbelly toad can grow to about 31 millimeters (a little over an inch) long from its snout to its bottom. Toads bigger than about 28 millimeters are considered adults.
Their colors change as they grow. Young toads, called juveniles, have a dark gray back. Their belly is light and you can almost see through it. Their hands and feet are also light-colored.
As they get older, their hands, feet, and the back part of their belly turn a pale orange. This color gets brighter over time. Bigger juveniles have dark green backs and limbs. Their bellies are dark blue with white spots. They also have some orange-red patches near their armpits and on their bellies.
Adult toads have many different colors. Their backs can be light green, dark green, or almost black. Their bellies are green or grayish-blue with red patches. There is always a red patch on their belly and near their armpits. Often, there are also red patches on their throat and chest. Small white spots cover their entire belly, including their limbs, throat, and chest. Their hands and feet are orange-red.
Scientists think their bright colors are a warning sign. This is called aposematic coloration. It tells predators that the toad might be poisonous or taste bad. When these toads feel threatened, they show a special defense pose. They arch their back and show off their bright belly colors. This is called the unkenreflex.
How Do They Reproduce?
The Torres redbelly toad is an "explosive breeder." This means they all breed at the same time after heavy rains. They lay their eggs in temporary streams.
Male toads call out to attract females. They do this in shallow water along the streams, both day and night. Sometimes, they hide in small holes in the ground while calling. The male then holds onto the female in the water. This is called amplexus, and it helps the female release her eggs.
Where Do They Live and How Are They Protected?
The Torres redbelly toad lives only in the Atlantic Forest biome. This is a special type of forest in Brazil. All known groups of these toads live close to parts of this forest that are still left. They breed in streams that only flow for a short time after it rains.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this toad as "Vulnerable". This means it is at risk of becoming endangered if its situation does not improve. Some scientists believe it should be listed as "Endangered" already. This is because it lives in a very small area. Its habitat is also broken up into small pieces. Human activities are also causing problems for these toads. Sadly, no known groups of these toads live inside protected areas like national parks.
