Ghatophryne ornata

Ghatophryne ornata

''Ghatophryne ornata'', known with common names ornate toad, Malabar torrent toad or black torrent toad, is a rare and endangered species of toad endemic to the Western Ghats. In 2009, this species along with ''A. rubigina'' was shifted from ''Ansonia'' to the genus ''Ghatophryne''.
A rare encounter - Ghatophryne ornata A rare encounter - Ghatophryne ornata

A rare and endangered species of toad endemic to the southern Western Ghats. There are two morphs of this species. The more common of the two is jet black with bright yellow spot on the upper side and red patch in the underside. This particular specimen is even rarer than the brightly colored morph. I was fortunate enough to see this rare specimen and document it. This was shot in pitch dark with external flash!! This is one of the poses I like from these tiny gems. The head raised high, with perfectly placed hands!! Just amazing!! Ghatophryne ornata,endangered,endemic,malabar torrent toad,western ghats

Appearance

Habit slender. Crown without bony ridges; snout short, obliquely truncated, with angular canthus rostralis and vertical loreal region ; interorbital space a little broader than the upper eyelid; tympanum distinct, about half the size of the eye. ringers rather slender, first much shorter than second; toes short, nearly entirely webbed; subarticular tubercles single, not very prominent ; tips of fingers and toes slightly swollen; metatarsal tubercles two, not very prominent; no tarsal fold. The hind limb being carried forwards along the body, the tibio-tarsal articulation reaches to between the eye and the tip of the snout. Anterior half of the back finely tubercular, the remainder smooth; no parotoids. Black; upperside of head and a dorsal line generally grey; beneath with large bright yellow spots. Male with a subgular vocal sac. From snout to vent 1.2 inches. Brahmagiri Hills, Coorg.
The toad lives in crevices among small rocks to large boulders in streams. Observed to be both active during day and night.


The skin of these toads is slightly rough and usually dry. The underbelly is usually held above the ground. Overall coloration on dorsum varies from dark brick red to black. Underside has bright red color with yellow circular spots. Base of mandible has two yellow spots. The bright coloration on the underside could be for unken reflex.


Current known locations: Brahmagiri Hills, Coorg; Kudremukh National Park; Neria Estate; Madhuvanam Estate, Devala, Gudalur.

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Status: Endangered
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyBufonidae
GenusGhatophryne
SpeciesG. ornata
Photographed in
India