TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Microhylidae
Genus/species: Dyscophus antongilli
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Female is larger with vivid orange-red body (looking not unlike a rather oddly shaped ripe tomato); male less brightly colored. Flat head. Length to 12 cm (4.6 inches).
Very similar and possibly conspecific to D. guineti which differs by color pattern.
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Northeast Madagascar primarily terrestrial in lowland habitats.It appears to be localized to sandy ground near the coast, and breeds in ditches, flooded areas, swamps, and temporary and permanent still or very slowly flowing water. Buries itself in soil during the day; feeds nocturnally. Found at sea level to elevations of around 200 meters (650 feet).
DIET IN THE WILD: Insects.
REPRODUCTION: Breeds in pools and ditches after heavy rainfall. Lays eggs in water during the rainy season. Fertilized eggs hatch into free-swimming tadpoles.
MORTALITY: Estimated to live ~10 years in the wild.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Nearly Threatened (NT) CITES Appendix I
Pollution of water bodies is a potential threat, and in the past this species was subject to collection for international trade, although this is now largely under control and restricted.
The Baltimore Zoo is actively involved in several other tomato frog conservation projects.
REMARKS: When alarmed, secretes a very sticky goo onto its skin, a defense against predators which also may substance may produce allergic reactions in humans. When threatened, these frogs can inflate themselves, giving the appearance of greater size.
Madagascar MA08
References
EOL eol.org/pages/333037/details
IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org/details/6937/0
University of Michigan www.umich.edu/~esupdate/library/97.09-10/wisnieski.html
AmphibiaWeb amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Dyscophus&am…
ARKive www.arkive.org/tomato-frog/dyscophus-antongilii/image-G11...
Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3284963093/in/set-72157620708610230/
Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1si
