Oriental fire-bellied toad
Oriental fire-bellied toad | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Bombinatoridae |
Genus: | Bombina
|
Species: | B. orientalis
|
Binomial name | |
Bombina orientalis (Boulenger, 1890)
| |
Synonyms | |
|
The Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis) is a small semiaquatic
Etymology
According to the American Museum of Natural History, the red-bellied toad, Chinese bell toad, Oriental bell toad, eastern fire-bellied toad, and Korean fire-bellied toad are all common names that have been used to describe the species at one point or another.[2]
Taxonomy
The Oriental fire-bellied toad was first described by
The toad was later divided into two subspecies in 1972, B. o. practicola and B. o. silvatica, with the former being more aquatic and the latter more terrestrial, although newer research has found them to display few genetic differences, despite some physical ones. These findings support their classification as a monotypic species, albeit one with multiple morphs that may have diverged rather recently.[5] A population in Beijing, despite having existed for less than a hundred years, has shown signs of evolution at a molecular level, displaying genetic uniqueness from the original population. While genetic diversity is somewhat low, it is still high enough that the Beijing toads may continue to survive.[6]
In the late Quaternary, seismic activity at the Yilan–Yitong fault zone is believed to have split the toad into two subpopulations in its native range, with the much smaller western one having low genetic diversity. In more recent times, gene flow has begun to occur between the two.[7]
Description
Oriental fire-bellied toads can be bright, grayish, or brownish green, with black mottling on their
Besides having more noticeable tubercles on their skin, B. orientalis can also be distinguished from other members of Bombina by their lack of
Distribution and habitat
The toad can be found in Korea, northeastern Russia, (where they have become rather rare[12]) and northeastern China, and possibly southern Japan, specifically Tsushima Strait, although the latter is very likely erroneous, as a team of Japanese researchers in the later half of the 20th century was unable to locate any.[13] There is also a somewhat genetically distinct population in Beijing that was introduced from Yantai in Shandong in 1927 by Mr. Liu Cheng-chao. About 200 were released into wetland habitats, where they later bred.[6] There have been multiple reports of escaped specimens in Broward County, Florida, US, mostly in the immediate vicinity of an animal importer's facility.[14] There have been no other reports of such occurrences in the United States, and there are no well-established escaped populations.[15]
They are semiaquatic, generally dwelling in slow-moving streams or ponds. When out of the water, they can often be found in coniferous and broadleaved forests.[11] They can be found at elevations of up to 1,100 metres (3,600 ft).[1] They are very resilient to environmental disturbance, especially compared to other amphibians, and as such can be found living and even breeding in heavily polluted water.[16]
Behavior and ecology
Bombina orientalis are one of the most plentiful amphibians in their native lands, particularly the central part of their range. The toads are
Diet
As larvae, Oriental fire-bellied toads consume
Breeding
Breeding takes place around mid-May, when temperatures become warmer. It is at this time that the toads emerge from
Vocalizations
Unusually for a frog species, the Oriental fire-bellied toad does not have an eardrum or resonator, making their calls by inhaling.[8] The males' light mating calls are similar to those of B. bombina.[12] While vocalizing, males will attempt to space out their calls so as to avoid overlap between different individuals, a behavior also observed in European fire-bellied toads.[20] Females have been found to be quickly attracted to the advertisement call, but not the release call, displaying an ability to differentiate between them. Males typically ignore the advertisement calls, but will approach the source of release calls. In both cases, visual stimuli are also necessary to trigger a reaction.[21] In addition to their lighter sounds, they can also produce a croaking noise.[9]
Predation
Oriental fire-bellied toads can discourage most
Research
Bombesin
The skin of Oriental fire-bellied toads contains bombesin, a peptide first isolated from their relatives, European fire-bellied toads (and later other types of frogs, in the genera Rana and Phyllomedusa). Among other effects, bombesin hinders gastric functions in mammals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and rodents. Later studies on B. orientalis discovered that the peptide came in three separate forms.[22][23]
Intelligence
Oriental fire-bellied toads are rapid learners, especially compared to other frogs. In an experiment, slightly dehydrated toads were found able solve both simple and more complex mazes using water as a reinforcement, unlike other types of frogs (members of Rana, Bufo, and Hyla simply either did not try or leapt around aimlessly). In a simple T-maze, with their target on the right side, 80% had navigated their way successfully in only three days, with 100% having finished after four days. The left side proved more challenging, with 80% finished in three days, but the rest not done until day eight.[24]
As a model organism
As common amphibians, B. orientalis make excellent
Conservation status
The oriental fire-bellied toad was listed as
In captivity
Bombina orientalis are relatively easy to care for in captivity, requiring little in the way of specialized lighting or heating and readily consuming feeder insects or small feeder fish.[10] Handling can require caution, as although harmless to the skin, the mucus can cause discomfort to the mouth and eyes,[8] however captive individuals generally are less toxic.[19] The toxin does not pose a significant threat to human health.[10] In captivity, Oriental fire-bellied toads often live for around 12 years, but in some cases can live up to 30.[19]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 15 January 2018. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- ^ "Bombina orientalis (Boulenger, 1890) | Amphibian Species of the World". amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ a b c The Annals and magazine of natural history; zoology, botany, and geology. Vol. 5. London, England: Taylor and Francis, Ltd. 1890. pp. 143–144.
- ^ Stejneger, Leonhard Hess (1907). Herpetology of Japan and adjacent territory. Harvard University. Washington, Govt. print. off. p. 51.
- S2CID 37423420.
- ^ PMID 34067517.
- PMID 33976806.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Oriental fire-bellied toad". Smithsonian's National Zoo. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ a b Szcodronski, Todd. "Bombina orientalis". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
- ^ a b c "Fire-Belly Toad | Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc". Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ a b c d "Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad | National Geographic". Animals. 2010-03-12. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bombina orientalis". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ Kawamura, Toshijiro; Nishioka, Midori; Ueda, Hiroaki (1972). "Reproduction of the Oriental Fire-bellied Toad, Bombina orientalis, with Special Reference to the Superiority of this Species as a Laboratory Animal" (PDF). Scientific Report of the Laboratory for Amphibian Biology. 1: 303–317 – via CORE.
- ^ "Oriental Fire-bellied Toad - Collections". nas.er.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ a b "Oriental Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina orientalis) - Species Profile". nas.er.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- S2CID 134291784. Retrieved 6 January 2022 – via ResearchGate.
- PMID 24810567.
- S2CID 24851902.
- ^ a b c "Fire-bellied Toad". Seneca Park Zoo. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- – via Taylor & Francis Online.
- PMID 21993061.
- ^ "Bombesin - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- PMID 8631814.
- JSTOR 1564288.
- S2CID 26212563.
- PMID 20870264.
External links
- SeaWorld Species Profile
- Media related to Bombina orientalis at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Oriental fire-bellied toad at Wikispecies