Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith and Alberto Esquivel and are used with permission.
SPOTTED RED-BELLY TOAD Melanophryniscus fulvoguttatus
Melanophryniscus toads are distinctive and uncommon little creatures. Their bold colouration advertises their toxicity, an unpleasant substance produced by glands scattered across their body being responsible for their unpalatability. Unlike other toads they lack an obvious "typanum" (ear-drum). This species is diagnosed by the sparse dotting on the dorsum, often forming lateral lines, contrasting with the large discrete yellow or red blotching on the ventrum.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPANF75PH) Adult, Estancia Kanguery, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel October 2006).
FIGURE 2 - (FPANF76PH) Same individual as (FPANF75PH) upperside (Alberto Esquivel October 2006).
FIGURE 3 - (FPANF775PH) Adult head lateral, Garay Kue, Departamento Concepción (Paul Smith November 2017).
FIGURE 4 - (FPANF776PH) Same individual as (FPANF775PH) upperside (Paul Smith November 2017).
FIGURE 5 - (FPANF777PH) Red-bellied form, Garay Kue, Departamento Concepción (Paul Smith November 2017).
FIGURE 6 - (FPANF778PH) Yellow-bellied form, Garay Kue, Departamento Concepción (Paul Smith November 2017).
FIGURE 7 - (FPANF779PH) Hind foot, Garay Kue, Departamento Concepción (Paul Smith November 2017).
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