Pelobates cultripes
Temporal range: Middle Miocene–Recent,[1]
Pelobates cultripes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pelobatidae
Genus: Pelobates
Species:
P. cultripes
Binomial name
Pelobates cultripes
(Cuvier, 1829)
The approximate distribution of Pelobates cultripes
Synonyms[3]
  • Rana cultripes Cuvier, 1829
  • Rana calcarata Michahelles, 1830
  • Cultripes provincialis Müller, 1832

Pelobates cultripes is a toad species in the family Pelobatidae. It is known under many different common names, including the western spadefoot, Iberian spadefoot toad, Spanish spadefoot toad, and Wagler's spadefoot toad. It is found in most of the Iberian Peninsula with isolated populations southern and western France.[2][3]

Description

The hind foot of the Pelobates cultripes

Pelobates cultripes is a big smooth-skinned toad with a silvery gold or greenish eye and a vertical pupil. It has a black spade on the hind foot, hence its name. The edged callus internus of the hind foot is converted to allow digging. The upperside is greyish-yellowish with dark brown or greenish blotches and spots. It grows up to 11 cm and is larger and greener than the common spadefoot, Pelobates fuscus.[4] The tadpoles are larger than those of most other toad species.

Behavior

This toad is mostly nocturnal, but occasionally vast numbers of it can be seen after rain. It hides in burrows up to 20 cm deep and can dig itself into earth quite fast. When threatened it inflates its body and mews, kitten-like.

It breeds often in temporary water that is sometimes brackish. During mating season males appear first on wet nights at breeding sites, the females arrive later. The length of the breeding period depends on the rainfall and may last a month or only few days. During this time Pelobates cultripes may be partly diurnal. Males grab the females at the loins. Females produce bands of up to 7000 eggs which are up to 100 cm long.[4] They lay them among vegetation or on the pond bottom. The eggs hatch after two weeks and the tadpoles take around 4 to 6 months to develop. The drying up of their pond is, after predation, the most common cause of their death. Young toads are 2 to 3.5 cm long after metamorphosis and take 3 years to reach maturity. This toad may live up to 15 years. Males produce a deep and rapid 'co-co-co' under water which sound like a clucking hen. Females call occasionally too.[4]

Distribution

This species is found mostly in Portugal, Spain and parts of France. Its range does not overlap with the common spadefoot. It occurs in open areas usually with soft or sandy soils and can be found at elevations up to 1,800 meters.

Tadpole of the western spadefoot
Tadpole in stage of metamorphosis
Young western spadefoot

References

  1. ↑ Martín, C. & Sanchiz, B. (2014). "Pelobates cultripes (Cuvier, 1829)". Lisanfos KMS. Version 1.2. Online reference accessible at www.lisanfos.mncn.csic.es/. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN-CSIC, Madrid (Spain). Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Pelobates cultripes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T58052A89708267. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T58052A89708267.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2021). "Pelobates cultripes (Cuvier, 1829)". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Arnold, Nicholas; Ovenden, Denys (2002). Field Guide Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain & Europe. Vol. 2. London: HarperCollins. pp. 68–69. ISBN 0-00-219964-5.
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