Firouzophrynus hololius, known as Günther's toad,[Srinivasulu, B., Ganesh, S. R., & Srinivasulu, C. (2013). New regional record and notes on historical specimens of Gunther Toad Duttaphrynus hololius with comments on other southeastern Indian congeners. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 5(13), 4784-4790.][Pillai, R. S., & Ravichandran, M. S. (1991). On a rare toad Bufo hololius Günther from Nagarjunsagar, Andhra Pradesh. Rec. Zool. Sur. Ind, 88(1), 11–14.]
Description
The crown of this toad lacks bony ridges and has a short, prominent snout. Its inter-orbital space as broad and the upper eyelid; tympanum very distinct, nearly as large as the eye and close to it. Fingers short, first extending a little beyond second; toes short, webbed at the base only; subarticular tubercles single, not very prominent; two small metatarsal tubercles; no tarsal fold. The tarso-metatarsal articulation reaches the eye. Skin smooth, the back with very flat, smooth, distinctly porous glandular patches; parotoids flat. Olive above, marbled with brown: beneath immaculate.
[Boulenger, G. A. (1890) Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.]
From snout to vent about 2 inches.
Distribution
This toad is known from rocky hillocks and outcrops of
Bangalore in
Karnataka,
Hosur,
Gingee and
Javadi Hills in
Tamil Nadu,
Chittoor,
Nellore,
Visakhapatnam and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in
Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana. (It was previously mistaken to be found in the
Western Ghats).
[Chandramouli, S. R., Ganesh, S. R., & Baskaran, N. (2011). On recent sightings of a little-known south Indian toad, Duttaphrynus hololius (Günther, 1876) with notes on its morphological characterization and ecology. Herpetology Notes, 4, 271–274.][Ganesh, S. R., & Asokan, J. R. (2010). Catalogue of Indian herpetological specimens in the collection of the Government Museum Chennai, India. Hamadryad, 35, 46–63.]
Natural history
This uncommon species of toad is very partial to rocky habitats; being only found in places with predominantly rocky substrate and boulder formations. Thought to be
nocturnal and
insectivorous; and to become active during the rains. Breeds by laying eggs in stagnant ephemeral
Stream pool and
formed only on rocky surfaces, but not on soil layers. Tadpoles develop in ephemeral pools on rock scapes.
[Ganesh, S. R., Kalaimani, A., Nath, A., & Kumar, R. B. (2013). First observations on the larval characteristics of Günther's toad Duttaphrynus hololius (Günther, 1876). Herpetotropicos, 9(1-2), 5–8.][Chandramouli, S. R., & Kalaimani, A. (2014). Description of the larvae of Günther's toad Duttaphrynus hololius (Günther, 1876)(Anura: Bufonidae) with notes on development and oral ultra-structure. Alytes, 31(1/2), 3.] Young ones are very bright replicas of the adults; sporting vivid scarlet red spots on body. Its depressed body form may indicate a life suited for rock-dwelling habits.
The threats are not exactly known but habitat loss is possible; it also occurs in Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve and possibly but needing verification Bannerghatta National Park. It has a fragmented and declining population and there were no recent records until 2009,
