Ghatophryne


Ghatophryne is a small genus of true toads endemic to the southern Western Ghats, India. The genus was erected in 2009 when the former Ansonia ornata was found to be distinct enough to warrant its own genus; Ansonia rubigina was moved based on its morphological similarity and distribution.

Description

Ghatophryne are small-sized toads with adult males measuring up to and females up to in snout–vent length. The dorsum is reddish brown; ventrum is dark brownish black with prominent yellowish-orange spots. They do not possess parotoid glands. Fingers are free of webbing whereas the toes are medium webbed. Skin on dorsum has sparsely granular projections, especially on anterior half of the body. Eggs are non-pigmented. Tadpoles have a suctorial disk, an adaptation to mountain streams.

Species

This small genus has two species at present: