Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799)

Deuti, Kaushik, Ray, Sukumar, Bag, Probhat & Dey, Swapan Kumar, 2017, Amphibians of the Duars area of Northern West Bengal, Records of the Zoological Survey of India 117 (3), pp. 221-241 : 223-225

1. Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799)

1799. Bufo melanostictus Schneider, Hist.Amph. Nat , 1: 216.

Common Name: Common Indian Toad (English).

Specimens examined: 8 ex: A 11936 from Buxa Fort, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar district , West Bengal (26°45’323”N, 89°34’868”E) collected on 31.v.2014 ; A 11942 from Rajabhatkhawa, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar district , West Bengal (26°36’839”N, 89°31’929”E) collected on 04.vi.2014 ; A 11955- A 11956 from Mendabari, Chilapata forest, Jalpaiguri district , West Bengal (26°36’687”N, 89°23’996”E)collectedon 09.vi.2014 ; A 12430-A 12431 from Ramsai, Gorumara National Park, Jalpaiguridistrict , WestBengal (89°23’996”N, 88°84’692”E) collected on 09-10.viii.2015 ; A 12432 from Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jalpaiguri district , West Bengal (26°34’632”N, 89°24’276”E) collected on 14.viii.2015 and A 12433 from Hollong, Jaldapara National Park, Jalpaiguri district , West Bengal (26°63’324”N, 89°30’635”E) collected on 19.viii.2015 . The measurements of the toads collected are given below in millimeters:

Size: 45-115 mm (snout-vent length). season near water-bodies. The species is a prolific breeder laying a few thousand eggs in long translucent strings

Distinguishing features: Medium to large sized toads readily which is entwined round the stems of aquatic plants. The identified by the rough skin and black-tipped horny warts on tadpoles are black and are gregarious. Juveniles wander the upper (dorsal) side. The lower (ventral) side is coarsely on land during mornings and afternoons, if the airgranular except the throat and the chin. Head is broader than temperature is sufficiently low. long and with cornified (bony) ridges. Snout is rounded. Nostril is nearer to the tip of the snout than the eye.Tympanum Reported earlier from West Bengal (Sarkar, Biswas and is distinct, circular or oval and nearly two-third the diameter of Ray, 1992) and Deuti (1995). the eye.Parotoid glands are elliptical and bean-shaped.Fingers are without webbing. Toes are almost two-third webbed with 2. Duttaphrynus stomaticus (Lutken, 1862) two segments of the fourth toe free. Both the inner and outer 1862. Bufo stomaticus Lutken, Vidensk. Meddr. Dansk. metatarsal tubercles on the sole of the feet are equal in size. Naturhist. Foren., Ser 2, 4: 305. The males have a single external vocal sac. Common Name: Marbled Toad (English).

Colour: Dorsal side brownish-grey or blackish with yellowish or reddish markings and often with a double Specimens examined: 1 ex: A 12465 from Kodalbasti series of warts down the middle. The horny warts on the forest, Jalpaiguri district , West Bengal (26°38’023”N, dorsum are black-tipped. Cornified (bony) ridges on 89°21’927”E) collected on 15.viii.2015. The measurements head also black. Ventral side is yellowish. The vocal sac in of the toad collected are given below in millimeters :

males are bluish-black during the breeding season.

Habitat: Found in all the duars area of the northern West Bengal over leaf-litter on the forest floor, below logs, stones, rocks, debris in secondary forests, plantations, villages, gardens in towns etc beside near rain-water pools and also on the banks of ponds and ditches. They hide in moist holes and huddle together in crevices of tree-trunks. Except during the breeding season they spend the day in any convenient cranny which is cool and dark.

Remarks: Very common throughout the duars area of northern West Bengal. Terrestrial and nocturnal, they have limited powers of hopping and usually walk. They are usually solitary but congregate during the breeding

Size: 42-86 mm (snout-vent length).

Distinguishing features: Medium-sized toads readily identified by the overall texture of the skin. The skin lacks the horny warts typical of the Common Indian toads. There are several irregular flat warts on the upper side. The lower side is coarsely granular except the throat and the chin. Head is broader than long and without any bony ridges. Snout is rounded. Ear-drum is distinct, circular or oval and nearly half the diameter of the eye. Parotoid glands are elongated and elliptical but not bean-shaped.

Colour: Dorsal side brownish or olive-yellow or olive-grey with or without darker markings. Ventral side including the upper lip is whitish.

Habitat: Seen near water bodies especially during the breeding season (June to August).

Remarks: The species is rare in most of the duars area of northern West Bengal. They are terrestrial and nocturnal. However during the breeding season they can be seen moving around during the day near water bodies.Breeding occurs between June and August and the call of the male is distinctive and can be easily distinguished from that of the Common Indian Toad ( Duttaphrynus melanostictus ). Reported earlier from West Bengal ( Sarkar, Biswas and Ray, 1992) and Deuti (1995).