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Oak toad

January 01, 1970

The oak toad (Anaxyrus quercicus) is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the coastal regions of southeastern United States.[2][3] It is regarded as the smallest species of toad in North America, with a length of 19 to 33 mm (0.75 to 1.30 in).[3]

Oak toad
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Anaxyrus
Species:
A. quercicus
Binomial name
Anaxyrus quercicus
(Holbrook, 1840)
Habitat range of A. quercicus
Synonyms

Bufo quercicus Holbrook, 1840

Description edit

The oak toad can be identified by its light mid-dorsal stripe, variable brown and black spots, and proportionally large parotoid glands. One of the most remarkable features of this species is its small adult size relative to other toads.

 
Adult male (left), female (right). Note the sharply contrasted ventral surface, the vocal sac on the male's throat, and the female's larger size.

The male can be distinguished from the female by his clear white belly and a slightly distended, loose flap of skin beneath the mouth, which expands into the vocal sac. The female has a dark-spotted belly and lacks a vocal sac.

Habitat and distribution edit

The oak toad is native to the coastal regions of the southeastern United States, ranging from eastern Louisiana to southeast Virginia and south throughout Florida. It is found in a variety of habitats, including sandy pine flatwoods and oak scrub, open pine and pine-oak woods, pine or oak savanna with sandy soils, and maritime forests. Oak toads prefer open-canopied pine flatwoods with grassy ground cover, and they are generally found in moist, grassy areas near pine or oak savannahs with sandy soil. They are also found in vernal pools and freshwater wetlands.[1][4][5]

Behavior edit

It is mostly diurnal and spends much of its time burrowed into the loose soil of its habitat. It may remain in its burrow during the winter, often in hibernation.[6] Breeding takes place in shallow pools that accumulate during heavy rains. The male expands his distinctive elongated vocal sac to produce a chirping call. The breeding season extends from April to October, peaking early on.[7][8] Heavy, warm spring rains stimulate mating behavior.[9]

 
Oak toad tadpole

An average of 300 to 500 eggs are laid in short strands of 3 to 8 eggs each, with each egg about a millimeter wide.[6] The strands are attached to vegetation, usually submerged blades of grass 4 to 12 cm (1.6 to 4.7 in) beneath the surface.[10][11] Energy investment in producing this quantity of eggs is significant, and many females are found dead during the mating season due to the rigors of the process. Fertilization takes place externally, with sperm being released in the vicinity of the eggs. As with other species of toad, the male oak toad has a Bidder's organ, which can become a functional ovary in the event of testicular malfunction.[12][13]

 
Size comparison. Adult male (left), female (right).
 
Smallest toad species in North America.

Diet edit

The oak toad is a small, terrestrial frog that feeds on a variety of insects and other small invertebrates. Its diet consists primarily of ants, beetles, and spiders, as well as other insects and arthropods. The oak toad spends much of its time foraging for food, using its long, sticky tongue to capture prey. The oak toad eats mainly small insects and other arthropods. The adult has a strong preference for ants.[6] While ants comprise a large percentage of its diet, the dietary preferences of B. quercicus are more diverse compared to those documented for numerous tropical anuran species. [14]

Life cycle edit

Eggs develop quickly, hatching in a mere 24 to 36 hours.[6] The tadpole reaches a maximum length of 18 to 19.4 mm (0.71 to 0.76 in). It is grayish olive or grape-green dorsally and purplish ventrally. The tail has 6 or 7 black saddle marks.[12][13] The tadpole completes metamorphosis into a juvenile toadlet in 4 to 6 weeks, and it reaches adulthood and sexual maturity at 1.5 to 2.3 years of age.[6] The length of the lifespan is unclear.[3] There are records of specimens living for four years in captivity,[10][12] and the reported average lifespan in captivity is 1.9 years.[15]

Predation edit

The primary predators of the oak toad are snakes, particularly hognosed snakes, which are specialized for eating toads. Other predators include garter snakes and gopher frogs.[12][16] As with many bufonids, the oak toad inflates its body in unkenreflex when confronted by a potential predator. It secretes toxins from its parotoid glands and urinates when threatened. The male may chirp as a response to predators. Eggs also appear to have some toxic properties.[6]

Conservation edit

The oak toad is listed as "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[1] It can become rare locally due to habitat replacement by loblolly pine plantations, urbanization and draining of surface water in its preferred wooded habitats.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Anaxyrus quercicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T54743A56952440. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T54743A56952440.en. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  2. ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Anaxyrus quercicus (Holbrook, 1840)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b c University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved on 21 October 2008.
  4. ^ Oak Toad, Bufo quercicus. 2013-03-01 at the Wayback Machine USGS, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification Guide. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  5. ^ "Anaxyrus quercicus (Oak Toad)". Animal Diversity Web.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Lannoo, M. Amphibian Declines: The Conservation Status of United States Species. University of California Press. 2000. 432-33.
  7. ^ Harper, F. 1931. A dweller in the piney woods. Science Monthly 32 176–81.
  8. ^ Einem, G. E. and L. D. Ober (1956). "The seasonal behavior of certain Floridian Salientia". Herpetologica. 12 (3): 205–212. JSTOR 3889772.
  9. ^ Wright, A. H. and A. A. Wright. 1949. Handbook of Frogs and Toads of the United States and Canada. Third edition. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca, New York.
  10. ^ a b Ashton, R. E., Jr. and P. S. Ashton. 1988. Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida: Part Three: The Amphibians. Windward Publishing, Miami, Florida.
  11. ^ Hamilton, W. J. (1955). "Notes on the ecology of the oak toad in Florida". Herpetologica. 11 (3): 205–210. JSTOR 3889360.
  12. ^ a b c d Wright, A. 1932. Life Histories of the Frogs of Okefinokee Swamp, Georgia: North American Salientia (Anura) No. 2. United States: Cornell University Press.
  13. ^ a b Bufo quercicus. 2007-11-10 at the Wayback Machine Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. 2004. Retrieved on 20 October 2005.
  14. ^ Punzo, Fred. “AN ANALYSIS OF FEEDING IN THE OAK TOAD, BUFO QUERCICUS (HOLBROOK), (ANURA : BUFONIDAE).” Florida Scientist, vol. 58, no. 1, 1995, pp. 16–20. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24320633. Accessed 15 Jan. 2024.
  15. ^ Bowler, J. K., 1975. Longevity of reptiles and amphibians in N. American collections as of 1 November 1975. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Miscellaneous Publications, Herpetological Circular 6 1-32.
  16. ^ Behler, J. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians. New York: Chanticleer Press, Inc.

Further reading edit

  • Anaxyrus quercicus. AmphibiaWeb.

January 01, 1970
toad, toad, anaxyrus, quercicus, species, toad, family, bufonidae, endemic, coastal, regions, southeastern, united, states, regarded, smallest, species, toad, north, america, with, length, conservation, status, least, concern, iucn, scientific, classification,. The oak toad Anaxyrus quercicus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae It is endemic to the coastal regions of southeastern United States 2 3 It is regarded as the smallest species of toad in North America with a length of 19 to 33 mm 0 75 to 1 30 in 3 Oak toad Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Amphibia Order Anura Family Bufonidae Genus Anaxyrus Species A quercicus Binomial name Anaxyrus quercicus Holbrook 1840 Habitat range of A quercicus Synonyms Bufo quercicus Holbrook 1840 Contents 1 Description 2 Habitat and distribution 3 Behavior 4 Diet 5 Life cycle 6 Predation 7 Conservation 8 References 9 Further readingDescription editThe oak toad can be identified by its light mid dorsal stripe variable brown and black spots and proportionally large parotoid glands One of the most remarkable features of this species is its small adult size relative to other toads nbsp Adult male left female right Note the sharply contrasted ventral surface the vocal sac on the male s throat and the female s larger size The male can be distinguished from the female by his clear white belly and a slightly distended loose flap of skin beneath the mouth which expands into the vocal sac The female has a dark spotted belly and lacks a vocal sac Habitat and distribution editThe oak toad is native to the coastal regions of the southeastern United States ranging from eastern Louisiana to southeast Virginia and south throughout Florida It is found in a variety of habitats including sandy pine flatwoods and oak scrub open pine and pine oak woods pine or oak savanna with sandy soils and maritime forests Oak toads prefer open canopied pine flatwoods with grassy ground cover and they are generally found in moist grassy areas near pine or oak savannahs with sandy soil They are also found in vernal pools and freshwater wetlands 1 4 5 Behavior editIt is mostly diurnal and spends much of its time burrowed into the loose soil of its habitat It may remain in its burrow during the winter often in hibernation 6 Breeding takes place in shallow pools that accumulate during heavy rains The male expands his distinctive elongated vocal sac to produce a chirping call The breeding season extends from April to October peaking early on 7 8 Heavy warm spring rains stimulate mating behavior 9 nbsp Oak toad tadpole An average of 300 to 500 eggs are laid in short strands of 3 to 8 eggs each with each egg about a millimeter wide 6 The strands are attached to vegetation usually submerged blades of grass 4 to 12 cm 1 6 to 4 7 in beneath the surface 10 11 Energy investment in producing this quantity of eggs is significant and many females are found dead during the mating season due to the rigors of the process Fertilization takes place externally with sperm being released in the vicinity of the eggs As with other species of toad the male oak toad has a Bidder s organ which can become a functional ovary in the event of testicular malfunction 12 13 nbsp Size comparison Adult male left female right nbsp Smallest toad species in North America Diet editThe oak toad is a small terrestrial frog that feeds on a variety of insects and other small invertebrates Its diet consists primarily of ants beetles and spiders as well as other insects and arthropods The oak toad spends much of its time foraging for food using its long sticky tongue to capture prey The oak toad eats mainly small insects and other arthropods The adult has a strong preference for ants 6 While ants comprise a large percentage of its diet the dietary preferences of B quercicus are more diverse compared to those documented for numerous tropical anuran species 14 Life cycle editEggs develop quickly hatching in a mere 24 to 36 hours 6 The tadpole reaches a maximum length of 18 to 19 4 mm 0 71 to 0 76 in It is grayish olive or grape green dorsally and purplish ventrally The tail has 6 or 7 black saddle marks 12 13 The tadpole completes metamorphosis into a juvenile toadlet in 4 to 6 weeks and it reaches adulthood and sexual maturity at 1 5 to 2 3 years of age 6 The length of the lifespan is unclear 3 There are records of specimens living for four years in captivity 10 12 and the reported average lifespan in captivity is 1 9 years 15 Predation editThe primary predators of the oak toad are snakes particularly hognosed snakes which are specialized for eating toads Other predators include garter snakes and gopher frogs 12 16 As with many bufonids the oak toad inflates its body in unkenreflex when confronted by a potential predator It secretes toxins from its parotoid glands and urinates when threatened The male may chirp as a response to predators Eggs also appear to have some toxic properties 6 Conservation editThe oak toad is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature 1 It can become rare locally due to habitat replacement by loblolly pine plantations urbanization and draining of surface water in its preferred wooded habitats 1 References edit a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2021 Anaxyrus quercicus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021 e T54743A56952440 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2021 3 RLTS T54743A56952440 en Retrieved 21 May 2023 Frost Darrel R 2016 Anaxyrus quercicus Holbrook 1840 Amphibian Species of the World an Online Reference Version 6 0 American Museum of Natural History Retrieved 30 January 2016 a b c University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Retrieved on 21 October 2008 Oak Toad Bufo quercicus Archived 2013 03 01 at the Wayback Machine USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification Guide Retrieved 30 March 2013 Anaxyrus quercicus Oak Toad Animal Diversity Web a b c d e f Lannoo M Amphibian Declines The Conservation Status of United States Species University of California Press 2000 432 33 Harper F 1931 A dweller in the piney woods Science Monthly 32 176 81 Einem G E and L D Ober 1956 The seasonal behavior of certain Floridian Salientia Herpetologica 12 3 205 212 JSTOR 3889772 Wright A H and A A Wright 1949 Handbook of Frogs and Toads of the United States and Canada Third edition Comstock Publishing Associates Ithaca New York a b Ashton R E Jr and P S Ashton 1988 Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida Part Three The Amphibians Windward Publishing Miami Florida Hamilton W J 1955 Notes on the ecology of the oak toad in Florida Herpetologica 11 3 205 210 JSTOR 3889360 a b c d Wright A 1932 Life Histories of the Frogs of Okefinokee Swamp Georgia North American Salientia Anura No 2 United States Cornell University Press a b Bufo quercicus Archived 2007 11 10 at the Wayback Machine Virginia Department of Game amp Inland Fisheries 2004 Retrieved on 20 October 2005 Punzo Fred AN ANALYSIS OF FEEDING IN THE OAK TOAD BUFO QUERCICUS HOLBROOK ANURA BUFONIDAE Florida Scientist vol 58 no 1 1995 pp 16 20 JSTOR http www jstor org stable 24320633 Accessed 15 Jan 2024 Bowler J K 1975 Longevity of reptiles and amphibians in N American collections as of 1 November 1975 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Miscellaneous Publications Herpetological Circular 6 1 32 Behler J 1979 The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles amp Amphibians New York Chanticleer Press Inc Further reading editAnaxyrus quercicus AmphibiaWeb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Oak toad amp oldid 1214769152, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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